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Police arrest KNPB leader in Jayapura
The Jayapura City Police detained West Papua National Committee (KNPB) leader Viktor Weimo during a rally in Jayapura on Monday
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The Jayapura City Police detained West Papua National Committee (KNPB) leader Viktor Weimo during a rally in Jayapura on Monday.
The rally was held in relation to an incident in Aimas district on May 1 that left three people dead; two were killed at the location and one died in hospital.
The rally was organized by the Human Rights Enforcer (SPP HAM) and other elements including the KNPB.
The protesters had initially intended to march to the Papua People's Council (MRP) office, but were dispersed by security personnel as they left the Perumnas III Waena residential area, some five kilometers from the MRP office.
Papua Police chief spokesman Sr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta Jaya said police detained Yeimo because he was the person responsible for the rally.
"In an earlier agreement with the police, the protesters would travel by truck from Perumnas III to the MRP office, but they rode on motorcycles. It had been agreed that some 500 people would join the rally, but the organizers also called on the public to join," said Sumerta.
He added that Law No. 9/1998 on freedom of expression stipulates that while opinion is free to be expressed, public order must be maintained.
"A concentrated crowd could commit anarchy at a demonstration. If a procession is held, it can lead to accidents and road blockages could cause traffic congestion," Sumerta said.
"The same group vandalized facilities at the MRP office several years ago."
When dispersing the crowd, two police officers were injured by rocks thrown by protestors.
Yeimo succeed Mako Tabuni at the KNPB after Tabuni was killed by security personnel in Jayapura on June 14, 2012.
