Antara News and several local newspapers have reported the killing of Marvel Doga, a 22 year old Papuan palm oil laborer, by a member of the Indonesian military unit Yonif 411/Raider. The incident occurred on 20 December 2015, around 22.00 East Indonesia Time, at the area of the Indonesian Palm Oil Company PT. Tandan Sawita Papua in Arso.
According to local news sources, Marvel Doga and other protesters went to one of the offices of the palm oil company and wanted to protest against missing payments of holiday allowances for upcoming Christmas. During the protest, demonstrators began to vandalize the office, so employees reported the incident to the nearby military post. Thereupon, a group of approximately ten military members approached the location.
Brigadier General Herman Asaribab of the Indonesian XVII Cenderawasih military unit stated in an interview with Antara News that his men opened fire because the protesters tried to attack his men. One of the shots hit Marvel Doga’s thigh. Marvel died on the way to Kwaingga hospital of blood loss. The dead body was transferred to the Bhayangkara Police Hospital for further examination. Furthermore, Asaribab said that the identity of the perpetrator is unclear yet and still needs to be investigated.
