Two men tortured, one to death, by the Yonif 509 Balawara Yudha military members in Intan Jaya

On 13 October 2024, around 11:00 am,  Yonif 509 Balawara Yudha military members attempted to stop Mr Pianus Sani, 18, and Sepe Bagubau, 15, as the youth drove their motorcycle back home. Fearful of the military members, Mr Pianus Sani did not stop the motorcycle but continued driving. He dropped Sepe Bagubau on the roadside and continued his way home. Shortly after the incident, members of the Yonif  Raider 509 TNI Balawara Yudha reportedly detained Sepe Bagau and tortured him inside the military post.

News of the arrest quickly circulated in the community. At 3:15 pm, Father Yance Yogi Pastor Dean went to the Yonif Raider 509 TNI Balawara Yudha Kostrad military post in Mamba along with relatives calling for Sepe Bagubau’s immediate release. Yonif Raider 509 TNI Balawara Yudha Kostrad Task Force stated that they would not release Sepe before Pianus Sani would surrender himself to the military post.

Community members found Mr Sani at his house. He agreed to come to the Yonif Raider 509 TNI Balawara Yudha Kostrad military post to clarify the situation. After surrendering himself, Sepe Bagubau was released. He sustained bruises all over his body as a result of the collective beatings inside the military post. After the relatives had left the post, military members began torturing Mr Pianus Sani inside the post. Mr Sani died inside the military post as a result of the injuries he sustained during the torture. Villagers found the body on the side of the Bilogai Village road on 14 October 2024, at 07.00 am, from where the body was taken to the general hospital. Relatives picked up the body without forensic examination and cremated the body (see photos below, source: independent HRDs.  

Body of Mr Pianus Sani at the mortuary of Intan Jaya General Hospital

Relatives bringing Mr Pianus Sani’s body home for burial

Response of relatives

Following these events, residents, led by church leaders, organised protests demanding accountability for the actions of the TNI and calling for the return of Alex’s body (see videos below, source: independent HRDs). The families of the victims, alongside the affected community, are demanding justice and accountability. They call for an independent investigation into the actions of the TNI Yonif 509, the return of Alex Sondegau’s remains, and the immediate release of all detained civilians. Additionally, they seek a cessation of military operations in Intan Jaya, advocating for the protection of civilians amidst ongoing armed clashes between the TPNPB and security forces in Intan Jaya. Their demands reflect a desperate plea for justice and an end to the cycle of violence.

Relatives of relatives protest at the police station in Sugapa on 14 October 2024, in response to arbitrary arrest of Mr Sondegau and the highschool students

Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Mamba (-3.733189766982337, 136.98152916749538)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Tengah Province, Intan Jaya Regency, Sugapa District, Mamba Village
total number of victims: five
period of incident: 13.10.2024
perpetrator: other security forces
perpetrator details: Yonif Maleo 509/BY
Issues: indigenous peoples, arbitrary arrest, torture, ill-treatment, execution, enforced disappearance
Sources:
Further HRM News: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/yonif-509-balawara-yudha-military-members-accused-of-torture-and-extra-judicial-killings-in-intan-jaya/

NumberName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1Pianus Sanimale18indigenoustorture, execution, arbitrary detention
1Sepe Bagubaumale15indigenousarbitrary detention, torture