Jakarta — Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) spokesperson Surya Anta was arrested by police in Jakarta overnight.

After being taken to the Metro Jaya regional police headquarters (Mapolda), Anta was then transferred to the Mobile Brigade headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Kelapa Dua, Depok, and is undergoing further questioning.

Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) advocacy head Nelson Nikodemus Simamora said that Anta and seven other Papuan activists were arrested on charges of treason (makar).

“Surya is currently completing a BAP [police investigation report] on charges of makar. Two others have already completed BAPs as witnesses and suspects”, Simamora told CNN Indonesia via a text message early on Sunday morning, September 1.

CNN Indonesia contacted Simamora when he was at the Brimob headquarters where he and several other advocacy activists are providing legal assistance to the other Papuan activists being detained there.

Simamora admitted that he does not have the latest information on the case because he and the other activists providing legal assistance were not allowed to take communication devices inside.

“We don’t yet have the latest information on the situation because communication has been cut [with the two representatives inside Mako Brimob]. The police prohibited us from taking communication devices inside”, said Simamora when contacted again a short time later.

Earlier in a video obtained by CNN Indonesia, police officers could be seen showing a document to Anta and giving a short explanation before he was taken away.

Anta was picked up at a food court in a shopping centre. Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) Director Asfinawati has confirmed the arrest and says that it took place on the evening of Saturday Augusts 31.

Meanwhile CNN Indonesia has been unable to contact Metro Jaya public relations division head Senior Commissioner Argo Yuwono to confirm the arrest.

As of posting this report Yuwono has likewise failed to respond to questions sent by instant messenger or SMS. There has also been no response to similar questions sent to Metro Jaya General Crimes Detectives Directorate Director (dirkrimum) Senior Commissioner Suyudi AS. (kid)

CNN Indonesia - September 1, 2019

• Original source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20190901041001-12-426471/aktivis-papua-surya-anta-disebut-dipindahkan-ke-mako-brimob

• To view the archive of Indoleft postings since 2003 visit: https://www.indoleft.org

• Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Aktivis Papua Surya Anta Disebut Dipindahkan ke Mako Brimob”.

More arrests in Indonesia follow West Papua protests

Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-West Papua) spokesperson, Surya Anta was arrested in Jakarta on August 31 and accused of “subversive” acts in relation to his advocacy for West Papua.

According to the Civil Society Coalition for Democracy (CSCD), this was the fourth arrest following the protests. Two Papuan students were arrested in Depok in West Java on August 30, after authorities forcibly broke into their dormitory, and pointed guns at residents.

Activists were also arrested in Jakarta during a solidarity protest in front of the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police station on August 31.

Three Papuan women were arrested during a joint operation by army and police personnel in South Jakarta on August 31, at the residence of Papuan students, originally from Nduga province. Suara Papua reported that one of the women was beaten during her arrest and the arrests took place without warrants.

So far, eight people have been arrested, including Anta. They are: Carles Kossay; Dano Tabuni; Ambrosius Mulait; Isay Wenda; Naliana Wasiangge; Wenebita Wasiangge; and Norince Kogoya.

The arrestees are being held in Mako Brimob (Police Mobile Brigade Detention).

According to CSCD, apart from the arrests, police have been surrounding Papuan students’ dormitories and conducting sweeps “without clear grounds for doing so”.

“These incidents demonstrate that attempts are being made to target Papuans, especially Papuan students.”

“This kind of action threatens our democracy, which Indonesians have fought for since the reformation.

“Besides leading to further race discrimination, such actions may also exacerbate existing tensions and lead to an escalation which could put the safety of civilians in Papua and elsewhere further at stake.”

CSCD is calling for a stop to the sweeps and similar operations against Papuan students, an end to arbitrary arrests, and for dialogue to end the conflict peacefully. It is urging security forces, especially police, to act lawfully by upholding human rights.

Susan Price

• September 4, 2019, Issue 1236:
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/more-arrests-indonesia-follow-west-papua-protests