Rico Sempurna Pasaribu

Rico Sempurna Pasaribu was an Indonesian journalist working for Tribrata TV in Medan, covering regional news in North Sumatra. On 22 June 2024, he published an article accusing a soldier of running an illegal gambling den and being involved in prostitution and drug running. This led to threats from the military, but Pasaribu refused to remove the article.

On 26 June, protests against gambling and other illegal activities by soldiers occurred outside the 125th Battalion barracks. Pasaribu came out of hiding to report on these protests and returned home with his family. The following day, a fire broke out at his home, resulting in the deaths of him, his wife, daughter, and grandson.

North Sumatra Police arrested three suspects, including Bebas Ginting, a former youth organization leader linked to Golkar, which had ties with the Indonesian military during the Suharto regime. The Alliance of Independent Journalists raised concerns about the police investigation's thoroughness, suggesting possible foul play.

Pasaribu's family is seeking justice for his killing. Human Rights Watch and UNESCO have condemned the attack, calling for a credible and independent investigation. The case highlights the dangers faced by journalists in Indonesia, with similarities drawn to past journalist deaths, including those of Udin and Sander Thoenes.