Indonesian Embassy Staff Shot Dead in Peru, Police Probe Contract Killing

Lima, KOMPAS.com - An employee at Indonesia’s Embassy in Lima was fatally shot on Monday night (Sept. 1, 2025), in what local police described as a contract killing.

The victim, identified as Zetro Leonardo Purba, served as a junior chancery officer at the embassy. According to Peruvian media outlet Panamericana Television, he was shot three times by an unidentified gunman in the Lince district of Lima, just a few meters from his residence.

Purba had been cycling with his wife when the assailants struck. He was rushed to Javier Prado Clinic but died shortly after arrival. His wife survived unharmed and is now under police protection, Indonesia’s state news agency Antara reported on Tuesday.

Police said Purba had only been posted to Lima for five months. Before this assignment, he worked at Indonesia’s Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia.

Forensic investigators and police have examined the crime scene. The embassy is coordinating closely with Peru’s Foreign Ministry regarding the incident.

Initial reports suggest two men on a motorcycle ambushed Purba and his wife as they were cycling home along Arequipa Avenue in Lince. He was shot a short distance from his home.

Commissioner D. Guivara told La Republica that the killing bore the hallmarks of a hit job.

“This is the first contract killing in the Lince district this year,” Guivara said. “The facts and motives behind this murder remain unclear.”

Security camera footage reportedly indicated the suspects may have been foreign nationals, based on their physical appearance.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Purba’s death. Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed his condolences, saying the ministry had urged Peruvian authorities to conduct a full investigation.

“As Foreign Minister, I feel a profound sorrow. We have already conveyed our request to the Peruvian Foreign Ministry and police to thoroughly investigate this case,” Sugiono said in a statement posted on the ministry’s official account Tuesday.

Sugiono also spoke directly with Purba’s wife and Indonesia’s ambassador in Lima by phone.

“We pray that the late Purba will rest in the best place by God’s side,” he said. “We also conveyed to his wife to remain patient and strong in facing this tragedy. This is a loss we all share, one that no one wanted, but fate has spoken otherwise.”