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Criminal Investigation Opened Into Death of West Papua TVRI Presenter
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Criminal Investigation Opened Into Death of West Papua TVRI Presenter

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • West Papua police upgraded the case involving TVRI presenter Suryanto Tuwing Idorway, also known as Yanto Idorway, from an initial inquiry to a criminal investigation after a case review found indications of a crime.
  • Investigators have questioned 23 witnesses and received the autopsy results, but they plan to seek further expert testimony.
  • Police are applying a criminal code provision on assault causing death; no suspect has been named.

Police in Indonesia’s West Papua province have opened a criminal investigation into the death of TVRI presenter Suryanto Tuwing Idorway, known as Yanto Idorway, after investigators found indications of a criminal act.

The decision followed a case review, said Hesman Sotarduga Napitupulu, director of general criminal investigations at the West Papua police. The investigation is being handled by Pegunungan Arfak police with support from the provincial investigative directorate.

The results of today's case review found indications of a criminal act, so we upgraded the status from an inquiry to an investigation.

— Hesman Sotarduga NapitupuluThe West Papua police criminal investigations director explained why the case was formally upgraded.

Investigators are examining the full sequence of events by comparing witness accounts with forensic findings, the crime-scene examination and evidence already secured. Police have questioned 23 witnesses and said more could be called to complete the evidence. They have received Yanto’s autopsy results but will seek additional explanations from experts to examine the findings in greater detail.

There is a possibility that additional witnesses will be questioned by investigators to complete the evidence.

— Hesman Sotarduga NapitupuluHe described the continuing effort to build the case.

Police are temporarily applying Article 466, paragraph 3, of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, concerning assault that results in death. Hesman said no suspect had been identified because the investigation was still in progress. He urged Yanto’s family and the public not to speculate and said investigators would work professionally and transparently to establish what happened and determine who could face legal responsibility.

Yanto was reported swept away by a river current near Memti Waterfall in Sisrang village, Pegunungan Arfak regency, on July 18, 2026. Search teams operated for seven days before closing the search operation on July 24. The search later continued, and his body was found on July 27 at about 11:05 a.m. local time. It was taken to Manokwari after his family requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

There is no suspect yet because the investigation is still being pursued.

— Hesman Sotarduga NapitupuluHe said investigators had not identified a suspect.
About this summary

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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