Indonesian military members arrested a group of twelve Papuans (see table below) near the village of Skofro, Keerom Regency, on 14 July 2021. The soldiers stopped the group (see photo, source: independent human rights defender) in a pick-up truck driving from the Papua New Guinea border to Skofro. Nine arrestees are alleged of being affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB), an armed resistance group fighting for West Papua’s political independence. They are believed to have participated in a TPN PB meeting at the Victoria TPN PB headquarters, located in Papua New Guinea near the border. The military members reportedly found several TPN PB member cards and notes taken during the meeting.
According to information received, all twelve arrestees were brought to the Keerom District police for in-depth investigation. It is unclear whether the police released the group or pressed criminal charges against them.
Table with names of Papuans arrested in the Keerom Regency on 14 July 2021:
|
No |
Name |
Age |
Additional information |
|
1 |
Keniel Lokon |
26 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
2 |
Melkianus Heluka |
44 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
3 |
Demianus Wuka |
22 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
4 |
Yance Sagenil |
32 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
5 |
Matias Heluka |
42 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
6 |
Welminus Pahabol |
29 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
7 |
Reni Doronggi |
31 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
8 |
Elianus Payage |
24 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
9 |
Rimba Matuan |
26 |
Alleged of being affiliated with TPN PB |
|
10 |
Willy Krom |
21 |
Driver from Skofro |
|
11 |
Joni Smuni |
16 |
Skofro villager |
|
12 |
Sekias Krom |
21 |
Skofro villager |
