Police: Those Defying Veronica Koman's Status May File Pretrial

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police state that people who oppose the suspect naming of Veronica Koman are allowed to request a pretrial, including the human rights activist herself.

“All legal process carried out by investigators can be tried in a pretrial,” said National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo in PTIK Auditorium, South Jakarta, Wednesday, September 11.

East Java Police have named Veronica suspect for allegedly spreading false or hoax news about the incident in Papuan students’ dorm in Surabaya last August.

The suspect naming sparked protest from several parties, including the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) who considered it an attempt of criminalization.

Dedi asserted the status was issued according to the procedure. “We have evidence,” he said.

Latest reports say that East Java Police have met Consulate General of Australia in Surabaya to discuss measures to summon Veronika, who is the lawyer of Papuan students in Surabaya.

East Java Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Toni Harmanto explained that Consulate General of Australia confirmed its position in the case. “They will not intervene the Indonesian law, and the summons process will be carried out by National Police’s International Relations Unit,” Toni said.

Last Monday, East Java Police issued the second summons for Veronica Koman. Toni said the police will announce a wanted status if she fails to make it into the summons.

ANDITA RAHMA