On 11 July 2025, at 3:00 am, police officers arbitrarily detained eight indigenous Papuans in the Yahukimo Regency at two different locations along Seredalah Road. All suspects were detained at the Yahukimo Police headquarters (see photo on top, source: Jubi). At the first location, officers arrested Mr Sepi Heluka, 22, and Mr Alfon Payage, 22, in front of a kiosk. Both suspects originate from Amoma District and study in Jayapura. They were reportedly visiting relatives during vacation. At the second location, at kilometre 2 of Seredalah Road, police officers again detained Mr Veri Pahabol, 21, Mr Tertius Kabak, 34, Mr Vael Silak, 24, Mr Nander Sobolim, 25, Mr Velis Silak, 23, and Jonatan Sobolim, a 13-year-old boy from Eriappin District, without showing a warrant.
Six of the eight arrested civilians were released on 13 July 2025, at 3:00 pm, due to a lack of evidence linking them to the 21 March 2025 attack on a teacher in the Anggruk District, Yahukimo Regency. As of that date, Mr Nander Sobolim and Mr Velis Silak remained in custody at the Yahukimo District Police Department, under continued investigation for suspected involvement in the same attack. Human rights defenders are concerned that the police will press charges against them despite a lack of incriminating evidence.
Following the arrests, Police General Faizal Rahmadani publicly stated that his men had arrested eight members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) suspected of being involved in the attack on teachers in Angguruk. The relatives of the detained individuals denied the police’s accusations. They stressed that all persons detained are ordinary civilians with no ties to any armed group or political movement. The families dispute the official police narrative.
Table of persons arrested in Yahukimo Regency on 11 July’25
| No | Name | Age | Place of arrest | Additional information |
| 1 | Sepi Heluka | 22 | In front of Mama Alor’s kiosk (Seredalah Road) | Arbitrary detention |
| 2 | Alfon Payage | 22 | In front of Mama Alor’s kiosk (Seredalah Road) | Arbitrary detention |
| 3 | Veri Pahabol | 21 | Km 2, Seredalah Road | Arbitrary detention |
| 4 | Tertius Kabak | 34 | Km 2, Seredalah Road | Arbitrary detention |
| 5 | Vael Silak | 24 | Km 2, Seredalah Road | Arbitrary detention |
| 6 | Nander Sobolim | 25 | Km 2, Seredalah Road | Arbitrary arrest, continued detention without charge |
| 7 | Velis Silak | 23 | Km 2, Seredalah Road | Arbitrary arrest, continued detention without charge |
| 8 | Jonatan Sobolim | 13 | Km 2, Seredalah Road | Arbitrary detention (minor) |
Detailed Case Data
Location: 4FMP+HHQ, Moruku, Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Papua 99571, Indonesia (-4.8660252, 139.486474) Polres Yahukimo
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 8
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Sepi Heluka
male
0
Human Rights Defender (HRD)
arbitrary detention
2.
1
Alfon Payage
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention
3.
1
Veri Pahabol
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention
4.
1
Tertius Kabak
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention
5.
1
Vael Silak
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention
6.
1
Nander Sobolim
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention
7.
1
Velis Silak
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention
8.
1
Jonatan Sobolim
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention
Perpetrator: Indonesian National Police (POLRI), POLRES
Perpetrator details: Damai Cartenz Police task force & Reskrim Polres Yahukimo
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children