TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Indonesian Press Council Bagir Manan has called on the government to deport two French journalists Thomas Charles Dandois and Marie Valentine Bourrat, both of whom were allegedly linked to an armed group in Papua.

The two journalists, who work for Arte TV in France and use a tourist visa to do their journalism activities Papua, are now detained at Papua Police Headquarter.

"There are regulations regarding visa use. Visa misuse [must be] charged based on the administrative law only. [However], the Press Council sees this issue as a matter of immigration [issue] only," Bagir said at the Press Council building, Central Jakarta, yesterday.

Both of the journalists must be freed as the police have not enough evidence of their involvement [with any armed group], Bagir added. The next step to take is deportation as the journalists have misused their tourist visas [for journalism purpose].

"For us, every journalist is entitled to receive a treatment as the Press in accordance with the law in Indonesia," Bagir said.

For the record, Thomas Charles Dandois and Marie Valentine Bourrat on August 6, 2014 were arrested for the involvement with an armed group in Papua. They were also allegedly linked to the shooting in Lanny Jaya, Papua, as they reportedly met the locals before the incident happened.

NURIMAN JAYABUANA