# Environmental activist beaten in Teluk Bintuni Regency: Perpetrators allegedly police officers

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-002-2025
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/environmental-activist-beaten-in-teluk-bintuni-regency-perpetrators-allegedly-police-officers/
**Issues:** security force violence | indigenous peoples | human rights defenders
**Publication Date:** January 3, 2025
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
On 20 December 2024, environmental activist Sulfianto Alias was beaten by a group of individuals in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province.

## Detailed Case Narrative
On 20 December 2024, Mr Sulfianto Alias, director of the NGO Panah Papua, was beaten by a group of individuals in multiple locations in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province. One of the perpetrators allegedly identified himself as a police officer. Mr Sulfianto suffered severe injuries, including head lacerations, facial bruises, and swelling in his stomach and back (see photos on top and bottom, Sources: [Suara Papua](https://suarapapua.com/2024/12/20/oknum-polisi-diduga-terlibat-keroyok-aktivis-lingkungan-di-bintuni/) and [Jubi](https://jubi.id/polhukam/2024/pegiat-lingkungan-di-teluk-bintuni-dianiaya-pelakunya-mengaku-aku-polisi/)). The motive for the assault remains unclear, though it appears linked to political inquiries about Mr Sulfianto’s support for a regional candidate.

The incident occurred at midnight outside the Cenderawasih Cafe in Bintuni, where Mr Sulfianto was attacked by a group of men. Despite attempting to escape, he was cornered in a bathroom and beaten repeatedly with fists, a wooden stick, and stones. He was then coerced onto a motorcycle under the pretext of being taken to the police station. Instead, he was brought to a secluded forested area in Tanah Merah, where the assailants interrogated Mr Sulfianto, demanded access to his phone, and tortured him again. The attackers left him injured at a third location, where he eventually managed to find help and was taken to a hospital.

Mr Sulfianto and his relatives have called for justice, urging authorities to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The Teluk Bintuni police have initiated an investigation following Mr Sulfianto’s official report. Mr Roy Marthen Masyewi, a local legislator, condemned the attack and demanded immediate legal action. The case highlights the [urgency for transparency and accountability in addressing violence against environmental and human rights defenders in West Papua](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/unknown-perpetrator-fires-air-rifle-at-papuan-human-rights-defender-in-manokwari/).

![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Victim_Teku-Bintuni-Torture-Case_Dec24_2.jpg)

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** December 20, 2024
- **End Date:** December 20, 2024
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** December 20, 2024 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** - Bintuni Cendrawasih
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -2.1287075969704, 133.55777158432
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-2.1287075969704,133.55777158432
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > West Papua (Province) > Teluk Bintuni (Regency) > Bintuni (District)

## Victims
**Total number of victims:** 1

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Sulfianto Alias | unknown | male | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |

## Perpetrators
**Perpetrator Category Paths:**
- **Category 1:** Unknown

- **Perpetrator Description:** unknown