Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Indonesia seeks more information on shooting of fisherman

Posted at 22:00 on 10 August, 2006 UTC

Indonesia wants answers from the PNG government over the death of an Indonesian fisherman allegedly shot by PNG security forces.

Two other Indonesians are recovering in hospital in the PNG town of Vanimo in Sandaun Province which borders Indonesian Papua.

Another severn are in police custody after allegedly being caught fishing illegally in PNG waters by a joint police and army border patrol.

A PNG border post police officer William Bemabua says the patrol fired warning shots after the fishermen ignored a call to surrender.

He has told Radio Australia that one fisherman was hit in the head by a stray bullet.

Tuesday’s incident prompted a call from the Indonesian consul in Vanimo, Kristanyo Hardojo, for an explanation from PNG authorities.

He said the incident was regrettable and the first of its kind.

The dead fisherman was from Sulawesi, working out of the Papuan capital, Jayapura.

Last month three Indonesian fishing vessels were caught by a PNG border patrol while allegedly fishing illegally inside PNG waters and their crews are waiting in Vanimo’s jail to appear in court.