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German accused of trying to smuggle human skulls from Papua
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The locals of Bengkayang regency, West Kalimantan, hold a unique ceremony that involves human skulls. (Shutterstock/File)
M
imika Police are questioning a German national they say is linked to the finding of three human skulls stored in a package at Mozes Kilangin airport in Papua.
The human skulls were detected during an x-ray security inspection at Mozes Kilangin International Airport on Tuesday. The package was stored in a cargo container in a Garuda Airlines flight heading to Makassar, South Sulawesi.
“We are now investigating two people, including a German national who owns [the human skulls],” Mimika Police chief Adj. Comr. Dean Mackbon told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
The police declined to disclose the foreign national’s identity.
“The document said the package contained ant colonies and traditional Asmat clothing, but the security officers were suspicious, so they decided to open the package and found three human skulls,” Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. AM Kamal said.
Tembagapura Immigration head Jesaya Samuel Henock said transporting human skulls requires permits from many parties, including the Health Ministry.
“The police are looking into documentation related to the package,” he said. (ahw)
