Jayapura, Jubi – Wialo Silak, chair of Cenderawasih University’s Student Consultative Assembly (MPM Uncen) for the 2026–2027 term, has reported several Jayapura City Police officers to Papua Police over an alleged assault at the Jayapura City Police headquarters on September 30, 2026.
Silak lodged the complaint through lawyers and legal assistants from the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) at the Papua Police Integrated Police Service Centre (SPKT) on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The complaint was registered under report number LP/B/162/X/2026/SPKT/POLDA PAPUA, with the alleged perpetrators initially listed as unknown.
The legal team filed the complaint after Silak underwent a medical examination at Abepura Regional General Hospital.
LBH Papua said the fact that the alleged perpetrators had not yet been identified should not prevent the investigation from progressing. It said those involved could be identified through duty rosters, CCTV footage, and statements from the victim and witnesses.
According to LBH Papua, the alleged assault, intimidation, mobile phone searches and confiscation of students’ personal belongings occurred while Silak and about 34 other students were accompanying four fellow students, including Cenderawasih University Student Executive Board (BEM Uncen) chair Yuluku Wasiangge, who had been summoned as a witness in connection with a student protest on August 15, 2026.
“Wialo Silak was allegedly subjected to violence by several police officers. Meanwhile, about 27 mobile phones, identity cards, ATM cards and KPM cards belonging to students were allegedly taken without a clear legal basis,” LBH Papua said in a statement on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The organisation said four witnesses were initially allowed into a room for questioning, while Silak and the other students were asked to wait in the waiting area.
Shortly afterwards, several police vehicles arrived carrying four students from the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ), who had been arrested that day.
When Silak retrieved his mobile phone from a chair, a police officer allegedly shouted at him, accusing him of taking photographs or recording footage. The officer reportedly warned him against making the material go viral or causing trouble.
LBH Papua said several police officers and intelligence personnel then approached Silak and allegedly punched and kicked him.
One officer allegedly took Silak’s phone and searched its photo gallery. No photographs or videos matching the accusation were found, and the phone was returned.
LBH Papua said an alleged intelligence officer who arrived later with the group of USTJ students then punched Silak on the right cheek with a clenched fist wearing a ring.
“As a result, the victim sustained injuries to his right cheek and temple, as well as bruising and swelling,” the statement said.
“At about 2.05pm Papua time, officers allegedly took about 27 mobile phones, identity cards, ATM cards and KPM cards belonging to students who were waiting. To date, it remains unclear whether there was a warrant, court authorisation or official seizure record for these items.”
LBH Papua said the alleged assault, reportedly witnessed by about 34 people, could constitute a criminal offence under Article 466 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, which took effect on January 2, 2026.
The provision carries a maximum penalty of two years and six months’ imprisonment or a Category III fine, with heavier penalties possible if the assault causes serious injury, according to LBH Papua.
The organisation also argued that the alleged group violence in a public place could fall under Article 262 in conjunction with Article 20 of the Criminal Code, which addresses participation in a criminal offence.
It said Article 52 could also apply if the alleged perpetrators used the authority, opportunities or resources available to them through their official positions as police officers.
LBH Papua said the allegation that Silak had been recording officers did not justify the alleged violence, particularly because his phone gallery had been searched and no photographs or videos supporting the accusation were found. It also said Silak had not attacked or resisted officers and was not under arrest.
To ensure the case is handled professionally, protect the victim and witnesses from intimidation, and prevent further violence against students accompanying their peers or documenting police conduct, LBH Papua issued seven demands.
The organisation called on the Papua Police chief to ensure the complaint was investigated professionally, transparently and independently, and not dismissed without a legal basis.
It urged investigators to identify all uniformed and plainclothes police and intelligence personnel present at the scene who may have been involved in the alleged assault, and to consider the application of Articles 262, 20 and 52 alongside Article 466.
LBH Papua also called for all CCTV footage from the Jayapura City Police headquarters on September 30 to be secured, particularly recordings from the waiting room, entrance and vehicle arrival areas used by the USTJ students.
The organisation urged the Papua Police internal affairs division (Propam) to conduct ethical and disciplinary investigations into officers allegedly involved, including examining the responsibility of superiors who knew about or were responsible for the situation.
It also demanded that Jayapura City Police and Papua Police publicly explain the legal basis for taking the students’ phones, identity cards, ATM cards and KPM cards, including whether warrants, authorisations and official seizure records existed.
LBH Papua further called on Papua Police to ensure Silak’s medical examination results were included as evidence and that the victim and witnesses were protected against intimidation and retaliatory complaints.
Finally, it urged the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia’s Papua representative office, the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) and other relevant oversight bodies to monitor the case and provide protection in response to the alleged violence, abuse of authority and seizure of students’ personal belongings. (*)
