On 30 December 2024, a shooting occurred at a cockfighting arena in Prafi, Manokwari Regency, Papua Barat Province. A police officer’s warning shot killed a civilian named Amir Hidayat Sianturi. The officer involved, identified as Brigadier A, was reportedly breaking up a disturbance at the cockfighting venue when the projectile ricocheted, hitting Sianturi. Amir Hidayat Sianturi. Sianturi was initially rushed to Pratama Warmare Hospital and later transferred to Bhayangkara Manokwari Hospital, where he succumbed to his injury.
On 31 December 2024, the Head of the Papua Barat Regional Police, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, announced that Bripka A had been detained as the investigation continued. Isir confirmed that legal actions would proceed, although the details of the investigation were still being finalized.
On 2 January 2025, the Manokwari District Attorney’s Office (Kejari) received a Letter of Notification of the Start of Investigation (SPDP) regarding the case, with the suspect identified as Bripka A. However, the prosecution process faced delays, as the Manokwari District Attorney’s Office had not received the complete investigation file from the police. Without the files, the prosecutor could not proceed with the legal process.
The investigation has remained stagnant despite repeated extensions of Bripka A’s detention. The Manokwari City Police Criminal Investigation Unit, led by AKP Raja Napitupulu, has yet to provide further updates on the case, leaving the legal process in limbo. The Manokwari Legal Aid Research, Study, and Development Institute (LP3BH Manokwari) Executive Director, Mr Yan Christian Warinussy, voiced concerns that the incident could be linked to the protection of illegal gambling operations. Mr Warinussy called for a broader investigation into the potential involvement of police officers in these activities, suggesting that Bripka A may have had ownership ties to the gambling site.
