Amnesty International has condemned the alleged fatal assault of a 14-year-old boy in Indonesia’s Maluku province by a police officer, labeling it an extrajudicial killing. The human rights organization stated the purported assault on Arianto Tawakal in Tual by a member of the National Police's Mobile Brigade was a "serious violation of human rights."
According to Arianto's family, the incident occurred on February 19th when the boy was riding on a downhill road. His brother claims the officer, identified as Masias Siahaya, allegedly jumped out and struck Arianto in the face with his tactical helmet. The blow reportedly caused Arianto to lose control of his motorcycle, leading to a crash that resulted in severe brain hemorrhaging. He was pronounced dead at Karel Sadsuitubun Regional Hospital, while his brother suffered a broken arm.
Arianto's family denies allegations that he was involved in illegal street racing, asserting the motorcycle's speed increased due to the road conditions. Police stated the officer was attempting to signal, but the swing allegedly struck Arianto, causing the crash. The victim's father countered that his son was struck without warning and expressed distress over the treatment of his child's body by officers.
Amnesty International criticized the police's initial claims linking the victim to street racing, drawing parallels to previous cases of alleged police violence. Officer Masias Siahaya has been detained pending investigation and will undergo criminal and ethical proceedings, potentially facing dismissal if found guilty. Police are still investigating the sequence of events, including the street racing claims versus the family's account.