Papua Police have promised to thoroughly investigate involving a civilian who was shot following the hoisting of a separatist flag in Wamena last week.

"(The investigation will be made) in accordance with instructions from the National Police Chief," Papua police spokesman Sr. Comr. Agus Rianto told journalists here Friday.

Agus called on all parties to cooperate and support the police so they could conduct their investigation quickly.

"We all want the case to be solved quickly, so we are asking for the community's support," Agus said.

Otinus Tabuni of Wamena was reportedly found dead from a gun shot, following the hoisting of the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM) Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag at a celebration held to recognize the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

There were two cases relating to the same incident, Agus said.

"One is treason as stipulated in Article 106 of the Criminal Code, on the hoisting of a separatist flag. The article carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment," he said.

"The second is the death of a civilian, as regulated by Article 359, carrying a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.

Police, he said, had on Thursday questioned five executives of the Papuan Traditional Council (DAP) who had organized the Wamena event last week, but the process was later adjourned due to a difference in perception between them.

On the one hand, the DAP elite wanted to be questioned on both issues (Tabuni's death and the hoisting of the separatist flag).

Police, however, wanted them to answer questions about the flag hoisting first and then discuss the shooting.

"We just want to question them in accordance with the summons, which is for raising a (separatist) flag, not for the death of the civilian. They (the cases) must be differentiated," Agus said.

Another summons could be made for DAP leaders, he said.

"They can be charged for blocking the legal process if they refuse the summons," he added.

Agus also said the public needed to understand that raising a separatist flag or displaying separatist symbols was prohibited under the 2007 law on Regional Symbols.

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