Police reluctant to name officer who fired shot

Police reluctant to name officer who fired shot

Police told the High Court on Friday that they've identified an officer who fired a rubber bullet on September 29, when an Indonesian journalist was struck in the eye, but refused to disclose his name as the matter is still under ‘active investigation.’



The journalist, Veby Indah, is asking the court to order the police to name the officer who she says shot her, to allow her to pursue a private prosecution.



But counsel for the force said there is no evidence that Veby was struck by the rubber bullet that was fired by the officer, and hence does not want to establish a causal relationship between the shot and the injury.



The lawyer said investigations are continuing, and at this stage, it would not be possible to provide his name or police identification number.



She did say initial police investigations identified one officer who discharged his firearm on September 29 in Wan Chai where police were clearing a group of protesters.



Veby was there covering the events for an Indonesian magazine when she was hit on her right eye by a projectile.



Judge Russel Coleman said he wasn't concerned with whether the officer bore civil or criminal liability, as he was only dealing with revealing the officer’s identity.



He set a hearing for February 17 and said he expected to make a ruling on that day.



Indah, who was present at the court, said she was grateful the judge set an early date for the ruling, as she can't file for a private prosecution after March 29, six months after the incident.