Paulus Alua, a University student and activist with the West Papua National Committee (Komisi Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) was arrested alongside Barnabas Mansoben, a farmer and KNPB activist, on 21 October 2012 for allegedly possessing bomb-making materials.

During his arrest plainclothes police (note: Aparat kepolisian berpakain preman) tortured Alua, handcuffing, and then beating, kicking and beating him with their pistols. Following this ill-treatment, he was transferred to investigators who interrogated him regarding a KNPB planned rally on 23 October 2012. During his detention, Alua was also reportedly forced to confess to preparation and possession of bomb-making materials.

The trial of the two activists began in 2013, and in March a lawyer for the two activists stated that the indictments were excessive, appealing to the judge for their release given the absence of any strong evidence. The lawyer’s submission was rejected.

Sources

West Papua Media, “Biak District court decides to continue hearings against two KNPB Biak activists,” 7 March 2013, http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/03/10/biak-district-court-decides-to-continue-hearings-against-two-knpb-biak-activists/ Paulus Alua, mahasiswa dan aktivis dari (Komisi Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) ditangkap bersama Barnabas Mansoben, seorang petani dan aktivis KNPB pada 21 Oktober 2012 karena diduga memiliki bahan-bahan pembuatan bom.

Selama penangkapan, aparat kepolisian berpakain preman) menyiksa, memborgol, memukul, menendang dan memukul Alua dengan pistol. Setelah itu, ia diantarkan kepada penyelidik yang menginterogasinya berkenaan dengan rencana demonstrasi KNPB pada 23 Oktober 2012. Selama masa penahanan, Alua dilaporkan dipaksa untuk mengakui bahwa ia mempersiapkan dan memiliki bahan-bahan pembuatan bom.

Pengadilan terhadap dua orang aktivis ini dimulai pada tahun 2013. Pada bulan Maret, pengacara dari dua orang aktivis tersebut menyatakan bahwa dakwaan yang diajukan berlebihan, dan meminta hakim untuk membebaskan mereka mengingat tidak adanya bukti yang kuat. Pengajuan pengacara ditolak.

Sumber

West Papua Media, “Biak District court decides to continue hearings against two KNPB Biak activists,” 7 March 2013, http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/03/10/biak-district-court-decides-to-continue-hearings-against-two-knpb-biak-activists/

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