Leiron Kogoya, journalist, 35, was gunned down on a plane as it landed at Mulia Airport in the independent state of Papua. Kogoya wrote for newspapers Pasific Post and Papua Pos Nabire. At least five gunmen opened fire at 8 a.m in Mulia, injuring passengers as well as pilots, who then lost control of the plane as crashed it into a nearby terminal building. Kogoya was fatally shot in the neck and passed away.
The gunmen still remain at large and are speculated to be members of the separatist group Free Papua Movement.Though Kogoya was allegedly not the target of the attack, the international nonprofit watchdog Reporters Without Borders has issued a warning to media personnel reporting in Papua due to the country’s history (and continuing use) of violence against journalists.
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