Civilian suspect not the main perpetrator in Mimika murder: Komnas HAM

Mimika Murder
Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, Beka Ulung Hapsara. - Doc. Public Relations of the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Indonesia

Jayapura, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) announced the results of its initial investigation into the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency conducted by the commission on September 2-4, 2022 and September 12-16, 2022. Komnas HAM concluded that Roy or RMH, who is still wanted by the police, was not the main perpetrator in the case.

This was stated by Komnas HAM RI Commissioner Choirul Anam in a press statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (20/9/2022).

“RMH is not the main actor. Various information currently presented by the police related to RMH makes it look like RMH is the main culprit. He is not, he is only part of the gang,” said Choirul.

The murder and mutilation of four civilians occurred in Settlement Unit 1, Mimika Baru District, Mimika Regency on August 22, 2022. The four victims were Arnold Lokbere, Irian Nirigi, Leman Nirigi, and Atis Tini.

The Military Police of the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command has named six soldiers as suspects, namely Maj. Hf, Capt. Dk, Chief Pvt. Pr, First Pvt. Ras, First Pvt. Pc, and First Pvt. R. Meanwhile, the Papua Police named four civilians as suspects in the same case, namely APL or Jeck, DU, R, and RMH who is still on the run.

Both the Papua Police and XVII/Cenderawasih Military Police investigators held a reconstruction of the murder and mutilation on September 3, 2022. The reconstruction was attended by six TNI soldiers and three civilians who had been arrested and acted out 50 scenes.

The reconstruction that RMH did not participate in was questioned by many because it tended to emphasize RMH’s role as the main perpetrator in the murder and mutilation.

Komnas HAM’s findings also showed a tendency to highlight RMH’s role in the murder. Komnas HAM hoped that the police could immediately arrest RMH to clarify the role of each perpetrator.

Beka Ulung Hapsara, who is also a commissioner of the Komnas HAM, said his party had obtained evidence of communication and suitability of the murder planning. “We get evidence of communication and suitability of planning. There is evidence obtained from cell phones. One of the perpetrators knew at least one of the victims well,” said Beka.

Beka also said that the families of the four victims rejected the labelling of the victims as sympathizers or members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) armed group. “The family emphasized that the four victims were not sympathizers or members of the armed group,” he said. (*)

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