Jayapura, 3/4 (Jubi) – Two students who were arrested by the Police on Wednesday (2/4) for leading a demonstration demanding the release of Papuan political prisoners said they were mistreated in detention.
“We were beaten like animals. Our bodies were covered with blood. The Police doctor visited us at midnight to clean us and examine the wounds,” Alfares Kapissa told Jubi on Thursday night (3/4) at Dian Harapan Hospital.
Kapissa and Yali Wenda were arrested by police for breaking an agreement with the police not to march during the protest. They were released at around 14:00 Papua time.
Jayapura Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Senior Alfred Papare said on Wednesday the student leaders were detained for questioning. The Police had 24 hours to detain or release if no charges were pressed.
The students said kicked them and hit them with rifle butts and rattan canes.
A resident of Jayapura Selatan sub-district who was in Jayapura Police headquarters said he saw the two students injured when he was hauled off the police vehicle.
“I saw their faces and bodies bruised and bleeding. I also saw an officer pointed a riffle butt asking whether they used it to beat the students. It might be a code between the police,” he said.
When met Alfares at Dian Harapan Hospital, his face was bruised and swollen. “The doctor forced us to change our clothes to get rid of evidence. We were beaten from head to toe. My head was injured and I thought they broke my ribs,” he said while showing his wounds and blood spots on his head.
A Papuan human rights activist, Markus Haluk, said Yali Wenda was also injured on his ear. “Now they have difficulty sitting and eating. Their bodies are still trembling,” said Haluk.
The Chairman of Student Executive Board of Cenderawasih University, Yoan Wanbipman said they have sent a letter to the Papua Police Chief to set up a meeting. The meeting between the students, lecturers and the police is set for Friday (4/4). (Jubi/Victor Mambor/rom)
