AJI Indonesia Condemns Israeli Detention of Indonesian Journalists, Demands Immediate Release

Teraslampung.com, JAKARTA — The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen/AJI) Indonesia has strongly condemned the Israeli military’s interception and detention of several Indonesian journalists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission bound for Gaza. The interception reportedly occurred in international waters near Cyprus on Monday, 18 May 2026.

AJI Indonesia Chairwoman Nany Afrida said the detention of journalists covering a humanitarian mission constituted a serious attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information.

“The detention of journalists who are carrying out legitimate journalistic work is a grave violation of press freedom and international law,” Nany said in AJI’s official statement released on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

She stressed that the journalists were documenting humanitarian efforts for civilians in Gaza, who continue to face a worsening humanitarian crisis amid Israel’s blockade and military operations.

“These journalists were not involved in combat. They were reporting on a civilian humanitarian mission. Journalism is not a crime,” she said.

The Indonesian journalists reportedly detained include Bambang Noroyono of Republika, who was aboard the Boralize; Thoudy Badai, a Republika photojournalist and member of the Indonesian Press Photo Association (PFI); Andre Prasetyo Nugroho of TV Tempo and member of AJI; and Heru Rahendro of iNews. The latter three were aboard the Ozgurluk vessel.

AJI Indonesia Secretary General Bayu Wardhana said the interception of civilian vessels and detention of journalists in international waters violated international maritime law and protections guaranteed to journalists in conflict zones.

“Boarding civilian ships in international waters and detaining credentialed journalists is inconsistent with international law, including UNCLOS and international humanitarian law,” Bayu said.

He also expressed concern over the safety of the detained journalists after distress messages and SOS videos were reportedly sent by Bambang Noroyono and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho before communication was lost.

“We are deeply concerned about their physical safety and well-being. Any harm inflicted upon these journalists would be the direct responsibility of the Israeli authorities,” he said.

AJI also linked the incident to what it described as a continuing pattern of violence and intimidation against journalists covering the conflict in Gaza since October 2023. The organization cited reports from international press freedom groups documenting the deaths of hundreds of journalists during the war.

Nany Afrida urged the Indonesian government, led by President Prabowo Subianto, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian diplomatic missions in the region, to take maximum diplomatic measures to secure the journalists’ release and safe return.

“We call on the Indonesian government to intensify diplomatic efforts and ensure the immediate release and safe repatriation of all Indonesian journalists detained by Israeli forces,” she said.

AJI also urged Indonesia to raise the issue at international forums, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, UNESCO, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in an effort to seek accountability for alleged violations against journalists and humanitarian workers.

“Reporting on humanitarian missions is not a crime. Bearing witness to the suffering of civilians in Gaza is not a crime,” Bayu Wardhana said. “The world has the right to know the truth.”