Jakarta – Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) spokesperson Surya Anta was arrested by police in Jakarta overnight.
After being taken to the Metro Jaya regional police headquarters (Mapolda), Anta was then transferred to the Mobile Brigade headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Kelapa Dua, Depok, and is undergoing further questioning.
Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) advocacy head Nelson Nikodemus Simamora said that Anta and seven other Papuan activists were arrested on charges of treason (makar).
“Surya is currently completing a BAP [police investigation report] on charges of makar. Two others have already completed BAPs as witnesses and suspects”, Simamora told CNN Indonesia via a text message early on Sunday morning, September 1.
CNN Indonesia contacted Simamora when he was at the Brimob headquarters where he and several other advocacy activists are providing legal assistance to the other Papuan activists being detained there.
Simamora admitted that he does not have the latest information on the case because he and the other activists providing legal assistance were not allowed to take communication devices inside.
“We don’t yet have the latest information on the situation because communication has been cut [with the two representatives inside Mako Brimob]. The police prohibited us from taking communication devices inside”, said Simamora when contacted again a short time later.
Earlier in a video obtained by CNN Indonesia, police officers could be seen showing a document to Anta and giving a short explanation before he was taken away.
Anta was picked up at a food court in a shopping centre. Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) Director Asfinawati has confirmed the arrest and says that it took place on the evening of Saturday Augusts 31.
Meanwhile CNN Indonesia has been unable to contact Metro Jaya public relations division head Senior Commissioner Argo Yuwono to confirm the arrest.
As of posting this report Yuwono has likewise failed to respond to questions sent by instant messenger or SMS. There has also been no response to similar questions sent to Metro Jaya General Crimes Detectives Directorate Director (dirkrimum) Senior Commissioner Suyudi AS. (kid)
Notes
According to a CNN Indonesia article later in the day, Argo Yuwono has confirmed that eight people – including Anta – have been charged with treason in relation to the rally in front of the State Palace. “Yes, they include (Surya Anta)”, Yuwono was quoted as saying.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Aktivis Papua Surya Anta Disebut Dipindahkan ke Mako Brimob”.]
