Two French journalists have been detained since August 6 by Indonesian
authorities after reporting on the separatist movement in the eastern
region of Papua without a proper journalist visa.
Papua province police spokesman Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono said the two
documentary filmmakers, Thomas Dandois, 40, and Valentine Bourrat, 29,
could face up to five years in prison and a 500 million rupiah
($42,000) fine.
The pair were shooting a documentary for Franco-German TV channel
Arte, a spokesman for the French embassy in Jakarta told AFP.
Dandois was arrested Thursday at a hotel in the city of Wamena with
three members of what Hartono described as an armed criminal gang.
That is the term generally used by police in Papua to refer to the
separatist group the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
He gave no details on Bourrat's arrest. They are in custody in
Jayapura, the capital of Papua province.
French press watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for their
release on August 11.
"That Dandois and Bourrat were doing a report on Papua is beyond all
question," said RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire. "These two
reporters are known for their integrity and honesty. Holding them for
such a long time must be regarded as a violation of media freedom. We
urge the authorities to release them without delay."
AFP
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