Death of TVRI Presenter in Papua Barat Investigation Escalated Over Suspected Criminal Act

The death of TVRI Papua Barat presenter Suryanto Tuwing Idorway has taken a new turn after police said the case may involve a criminal act. His death had previously been described as the result of being swept away by a river current.

Police in West Papua have now upgraded the case from an initial inquiry to a formal investigation. The decision followed a case review, according to Kombes Pol Hesman Sotarduga Napitupulu, director of general criminal investigations at the West Papua Regional Police.

“Today’s case review found indications of a criminal act, so we have upgraded the status from an inquiry to an investigation,” Hesman said.

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Today’s case review found indications of a criminal act, so we have upgraded the status from an inquiry to an investigation.

The investigation is being handled by the Pegunungan Arfak Police with assistance from the West Papua Regional Police’s directorate of general criminal investigations. Investigators will examine the full sequence of events surrounding Idorway’s death, comparing witness accounts with forensic examination results, crime-scene processing and evidence already secured.

Police have so far questioned 23 witnesses. Hesman said that number could increase as investigators seek additional testimony to complete the evidence. The authorities have not announced further details about the suspected criminal act.

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