Police arrest ten Papuans, including minors, in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency

On 4 and 5 November 2022, members of the police mobile brigade special unit (Brimob) of the Yahukimo District Police and the 1715 District Military Command (Kodim) conducted raids in the Kilo Dua area (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs), located in the Dekai District of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Province. The raids occurred in response to the killing of Private Eka Johan Kaize, a Kodim 1715 military command member, on 4 November 2022. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the killing in a media release.

Security force members reportedly threatened residents at gunpoint to force confessions and extract information about the perpetrator(s). Ten persons were arrested during the raids, including four minors. As of 12 November 2022, five have been released, while five arrestees remained in custody. It is not known whether the police will press charges against them. Following the raid, many residents living in the Kilo Dua area fled their homes in fear of reprisals.

Table with persons arrested during a raid in the Kilo Dua area, Dekai District

NoNameGenderAgeAdditional information
1Delfinus Esemamale18 yearsPupil, 2nd grade of vocational high school
2Eriko Kabakmale17 yearsPupil, 2nd grade of senior high school
3Alfonsisus Bayagemale16 yearsPupil, 2nd grade of senior high school
4Jhon Napimale15 yearsN/A
5Frans Eloperemale28 yearsN/A
6Beres Malingmale27 yearsN/A
7Asior Balyomale28 yearsN/A
8Benias Matuanmale21 yearsN/A
9Yoas HelukamaleN/AN/A
10Elipas Gibanmale15 yearsPupil, 1st grade of junior high school

Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Kilo Dua area, Dekai (-4.880424366415081, 139.4871876482681)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Yahukimo Regency, Dekai District
total number of victims: 10
period of incident: 05.12.2022
perpetrator: other security forces
perpetrator details: Brimob members of Yahukimo District Police and 1715 Yahukimo District Military Command
Issues: arbitrary detention, indigenous peoples
Sources:
Further HRM News:

NumberName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolation
1Delfinus Esema, studentmale18indigenousarbitrary detention
1Eriko Kabak, studentmale17indigenousarbitrary detention
1Alfonsisus Bayage, studentmale16indigenousarbitrary detention
1Jhon Napi, studentmale15indigenousarbitrary detention
1Frans Eloperemale28indigenousarbitrary detention
1Beres Malingmale27indigenousarbitrary detention
1Asior Balyomale28indigenousarbitrary detention
1Benias Matuanmale21indigenousarbitrary detention
1Yoas Helukamaleunknownindigenousarbitrary detention
1Elipas Giban, student male15indigenousarbitrary detention