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Islands in focus: Police arrest protesters
Police in Jayapura arrested 47 people for gathering for a rally in support of Papua joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), which ended in a clash with security personnel, on Thursday
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olice in Jayapura arrested 47 people for gathering for a rally in support of Papua joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), which ended in a clash with security personnel, on Thursday.
'They were arrested and questioned about the rally. We are investigating who coordinated the rally,' Jayapura Police deputy chief Comr. Albertus Andrian said.
The protesters were arrested in three locations, namely the Waena Expo, Cenderawasih University complex and Imbi Park.
Albertus said the protesters had no permit for the rally and were calling for independence from the Republic of Indonesia. He said the protesters violated Article 160 of the Criminal Code on provocation. There has been mounting support for Papuan independence in the Pacific, particularly in the countries grouped in the MSG, namely, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu.
In 2013, the leaders of the MSG decided to fully support the Papuans' right to self-determination.
