Jayapura, Jubi – Three of four students from the University of Science and Technology Jayapura (USTJ) arrested by Jayapura City Police have been named suspects.
The four students were arrested while taking part in a protest with other students to mark the 64th anniversary of the Rome Agreement on 30 September 2026.
The Rome Agreement was concluded in Rome, Italy, on 30 September 1962, following the New York Agreement signed on 15 August 1962.
The Rome Agreement, signed by Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States, contained 29 articles under the framework of the New York Agreement.
Articles 14 to 21 addressed self-determination, which was to be based on international practice, including one person, one vote.
Articles 12 and 13 addressed the transfer of administration from the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) to Indonesia.
Under the agreement, Indonesia’s claim over Papua was implemented following the transfer of administrative authority over West Papua from the Netherlands to Indonesia through UNTEA on 1 May 1963.
However, the Rome and New York agreements were concluded without any representatives of the Papuan people being involved, despite the agreements concerning the future of the Papuan people.
Reinhart Kmur of the Papua Legal and Human Rights Enforcement Coalition, which is providing legal assistance to the students, said the three students named as suspects were Apniel Jagani, Inios Enembe and Mikael Obaipa.
The fourth student was released after questioning because investigators found no indication that he had committed a criminal offence.
“Representatives of the Papua Legal and Human Rights Enforcement Coalition provided legal assistance to four students who had previously been arrested and detained at the Jayapura City Police detention facility following a protest commemorating the Rome Agreement at the USTJ campus,” Kmur said in an electronic message on Friday (2/10/2026).
He said the four students underwent initial questioning by investigators after being arrested and taken to the Jayapura City Police headquarters.
Following the initial questioning, investigators held a case conference to determine the legal status of each student.
Kmur said Fangky Salak was subsequently questioned as a witness and released after the questioning was completed.
“Meanwhile, Apniel Jagani, Inios Enembe and Mikael Obaipa were named suspects. The three underwent formal questioning by investigators on 1 October 2026, from 3pm to 9.20pm Papua time,” he said.
During the questioning, the three students gave statements to investigators, which were recorded in official examination reports, he said.
Investigators have charged the three students under Articles 192 and 234 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Criminal Code.
Article 192 covers the offence of treason involving an intention to separate from Indonesia or place part or all of the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia under foreign control. The offence carries a maximum penalty of death, life imprisonment or imprisonment for up to 20 years.
Article 234 prohibits acts including damaging, tearing, stepping on or burning the national flag with the intention of insulting or degrading the honour of the Indonesian flag. The offence carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a Category IV fine.
Law No. 1 of 2023 has been in force since 2 January 2026 and was amended by Law No. 1 of 2026.
Earlier, clashes broke out between USTJ students and police officers during a protest marking the 64th anniversary of the Rome Agreement at the USTJ campus in Padang Bulan, Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua.
During the protest, students raised the Morning Star flag on a flagpole on the campus grounds.
Soon afterwards, Jayapura City Police Chief Fredrickus Maclarimboen arrived at the campus to remove the flag.
When the police chief and officers attempted to take down the flag, students protested, triggering a confrontation.
At the time, Jayapura City Police Chief Commissioner Fredrickus Maclarimboen said police had attempted to negotiate with the students to have the flag lowered.
He said police officers were pelted with stones as they attempted to remove the flag.
“Security personnel responded with tear gas and a water cannon to push the crowd back. So, in fact, the crowd had already prepared for the action,” Maclarimboen said. (*)
