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Police detain 107 Papuan independence activists for questioning
Papua Police chief Sr. Comr. Martuani Sormin denied that the KNPB members had been arrested, saying they were only being questioned.
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Papuans hold a self-determination rally on Wednesday in Sentani, Papua, demanding that the government conduct an independence referendum for the easternmost province. (KNPB /Exclusive) (KNPB/Exclusive)
P
apua Police dispersed on Monday a National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) meeting in Jayapura and held the 107 members in attendance for questioning.
“We were arrested when we were about to hold a discussion commemorating KNPB’s 10th anniversary at the Pegunungan Bintang student dorms,” KNPB spokesperson Ones Suhuniap said in a statement on Monday. “Police came without showing any search or arrest warrants.”
Papua Police chief Sr. Comr. Martuani Sormin denied that the KNPB members had been arrested, saying they were only being questioned.
“Their event was dispersed because they did not inform the Jayapura [Police] about it,” Martuani told The Jakarta Post on Monday. “Their event was becoming a separatist political movement, so it was dispersed and they were questioned at the Jayapura Police station.
Jayapura police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Gustav Urbinas said police had received reports that the anniversary celebration was being attended by people from outside the dorms and called the discussion “treasonous”.
“Right now, 107 people are still being questioned and officers are in the process of identifying them,” Gustav said as quoted by Antara. (kmt)
