Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. The Papua Regional Police clarified the conflict between a journalist with the initials ED and police personnel during the continued trial of the Deiyai Market Arson Case at the Nabire District Court, Central Papua on Monday (3/4/23).

Police Senior Superintendent Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, the Head of Public Relations Division of the Papua Regional Police, said the incident began when ED's brother tried to enter the courtroom to cover the trial but was detained by the security personnel at the door. The prohibition was due to the courtroom being already crowded and full, so no more people could enter.

"At that time, the personnel also wanted to check the journalist's cellphone to ensure that it was turned off so as not to disturb the trial proceedings. However, this became a problem between ED and the security personnel, which caused a misunderstanding," he explained in an official statement on Monday (10/4/23).

The police action, he said, was in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as stipulated in the regulations governing the courtroom, as stated in the point 6 that "Courtroom visitors must turn off their mobile phones while in the courtroom."

In addition, point 18 states that "For recording, whether with a camera, tape recorder, or video, permission must first be obtained from the Chief Judge."

"Both of these points are things that must be complied with together, and the police only perform their duties in accordance with the applicable regulations. Therefore, this can be said to be a misunderstanding by the journalist towards the security personnel who were on duty at that time," he said.

He urged the public not to be provoked by uncertain issues that could damage the image of the police in the eyes of the public.

(ay/hn/um)