New York/Amsterdam, June 22, 2026—Ahead of the second anniversary of a deadly arson attack on Indonesian journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family, a
new investigation
by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Free Press Unlimited (FPU) has uncovered major flaws in the murder case that highlight the Southeast Asian nation’s poor record of ending impunity for crimes against journalists.
The joint report, “Impunity in Indonesia: The leads left unfollowed in journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu’s murder,” reveals authorities’ numerous investigative failures, raising questions whether full justice was achieved with the conviction of three men for the arson in March 2025.
Pasaribu, a journalist with news site Tribrata TV, was
killed
with his wife, son, and grandson inside their home in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra, on June 27, 2024. Before the arson attack, the 47-year-old received threats and demands he take down a series of stories he wrote about an illegal gambling operation allegedly run by Corporal Herman Bukit, a soldier with the Army’s 125th battalion stationed in the town.
CPJ and FPU call on Indonesian police to reopen the investigation of the case, with a focus on the alleged involvement of Bukit.
“The brutal murder of journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family is a heinous crime,” said
Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director at the Committee to Protect Journalists.
“It adds to long-standing concerns about journalists’ safety, and that Indonesia’s military justice system is failing to deliver accountability. Indonesian authorities must now reopen the investigation into Pasaribu’s murder and try any military personnel involved in a civilian court. Impunity for crimes against journalists has no place in a democracy like Indonesia.”
“Two years ago, Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family were burned alive, and yet we are still waiting for all the answers,” said
Jules Swinkels, senior researcher at Free Press Unlimited.
“Indonesia’s military
… [more]
