# Military members accused of ill-treating Indigenous elderly in Sahbuku Village, Maybrat

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-017-2026
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-member-accused-of-ill-treating-indigenous-elderly-in-sahbuku-village-maybrat/
**Issues:** indigenous peoples | security force violence
**Publication Date:** January 16, 2026
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
On 31 December 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel stationed at the Aisa Military Post reportedly ill-treated an elderly man named Mr Markus Sahbuku in the Sahbuku Village, East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Papua Barat Province..

## Detailed Case Narrative
On 31 December 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel stationed at the Aisa Military Post reportedly ill-treated an elderly man named Mr Markus Sahbuku in the Sahbuku Village, East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua Province..

According to information received, military personnel approached Mr Sahbuku and his son after hearing gunshots in the area. The soldiers allegedly suspected them of supplying goods to members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). At the time the gunshots were reportedly heard, Mr Sahbuku was inside a church preparing for the New Year’s Eve service. Despite the absence of credible evidence, TNI personnel kicked Mr Sahbuku in the ribs at least three times, causing severe pain and physical suffering (see photo on top, source: independent HRD).

### Human rights analysis
The reported conduct of TNI personnel violates the absolute prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment as enshrined in the [International Convention Against Torture (CAT](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/cat/)) and Article 7 of the [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/iccpr/). The victim was not posing any threat. The use of force was punitive and retaliatory, based solely on suspicion and collective stigmatisation of Indigenous Papuans as alleged supporters of armed groups. Such acts of racial profiling also undermine the principle of civilian protection and exacerbate fear and trauma within local communities.

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** December 31, 2025
- **End Date:** December 31, 2025
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** December 31, 2025 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** Aifat Timur, Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Indonesia - Sahbuku Village
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -1.3591179, 132.59276
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-1.3591179,132.59276
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Southwest Papua (Province) > Maybrat (Regency) > East Aifat (District)

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

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Markus Sahbuku | elderly | male | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |

## Perpetrators
**Perpetrator Category Paths:**
- **Category 1:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)

## Media Documentation
[Image: Markus Sahbuku](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Markus-Sahbuku.jpg)