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Police in Papua have charged eight officers from the Mimika District Police with torturing a journalist. (Antara Photo/Irfan Anshori)
By : Telly Nathalia | on 7:18 PM November 24, 2017
Jakarta. Police in Papua have charged eight of officers from the Mimika District Police with torturing a journalist from online news site Okezone, an official said on Friday (24/11).

According to a report from the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Okezone reporter Saldi Hermanto was brutally attacked by six to eight police officers on Nov. 22.

The officers were reportedly angered by Saldi’s Facebook post that criticized the police for failing to prevent a riot during a concert in a market in Timika, the biggest city in Mimika.

"The police officers brutally attacked Saldi, causing serious injuries on his face and right rib. He had difficulty breathing after the attack," the report said.

The police said they regretted the incident.

"We're investigating the case. We have eight suspects already," Mimika police chief Pol. Supt. Victor Mackbon said on Friday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Police investigators are expected to hand over the case to state prosecutors soon, Victor said.

According to the AHRC, violent attacks against journalists show no signs of abating in Indonesia.

The local Alliance of Independent Journalists said last year there were 78 recorded cases of violent attacks against journalists.