Jayapura, Jubi – A total of 13 West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Sentani activists were arrested by police at the Sentani Old Market in Jayapura Regency on Saturday, April 8, 2023, while distributing leaflets calling for the people to join a protest demanding the release of KPNB activist charged for alleged treason, Viktor Yeimo.
According to KNPB spokesperson Ones Suhuniap, the 13 activists were Wasuok Siep, Kurus Felle, Sadracks Lagowan, Huber Bagau, Melinus Bagau, Yan Itlay, Denny Esema, Gaoulin Balingga, Nodi Taplo, Emis Telenggen, Etap Kalakmabin, Arkelaus Lokon, and Vero Manggi Walilo.
“At 3:08 p.m. Papua time, the activists negotiated with the police but the police arrested and transported them by patrol car to the Jayapura Police Headquarters in Doyo, Jayapura Regency,” Suhuniap told Jubi on Saturday afternoon.
On April 11, 2023, the public prosecutor is scheduled to read out the charges in the treason case against Viktor Yeimo. Yeimo is charged for his alleged involvement in the Papuan anti-racism protest against racial slurs directed at Papuan students at the Kamasan III Surabaya Papuan Student Dormitory on August 16, 2019.
When contacted by Jubi on Saturday night, Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Frederickus Maclarimboen confirmed his party had arrested 13 KNPB activists in Sentani. However, all of the 13 activists were not detained and were allowed to go home after being questioned by the police.
“We only questioned them regarding their actions. They went home in the afternoon,” Maclarimboen told Jubi. (*)
