Indonesia's military has taken action following the emergence of a disturbing video showing the torture of an indigenous Papua man believed to be associated with a separatist group. The video, circulated on social media, depicts individuals appearing to be soldiers kicking, beating, and submerging the man in a barrel of water.
Brig. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi, an army spokesperson, condemned the incident as a violation of the law during a news conference. He emphasized that the military does not condone violence in extracting information and expressed regret over the situation.
The abuse took place at a border security post in Puncak, Central Papua province, on February 3. The video captures at least five men assaulting the victim, using racist language, and inflicting wounds with a machete.
All 13 suspects involved have been apprehended and are under investigation at the military police's maximum security detention center in West Java.
Maj. Gen. Izak Pangemanan, Papua Military Chief, explained that the mistreatment followed a confrontation between security forces and suspected separatist rebels. The violence ensued after the rebels allegedly set fire to a public health facility in Omukia village.
The victim, identified as Definus Kogoya, was subjected to torture at a military post in Gome in an attempt to extract information about other individuals. Kogoya received medical treatment for his injuries and has been handed over to local police.
The incident has triggered outrage in Indonesia and among human rights activists. Amnesty International Indonesia's executive director, Usman Hamid, denounced the torture as a severe violation of justice, questioning the authorities' claims of a humane approach in Papua.
Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are recurrent in the region, which has witnessed a surge in violence over the past year. Papua, a resource-rich area with a distinct cultural identity, has been embroiled in a long-standing insurgency since its incorporation into Indonesia in 1969.
The West Papua Liberation Army, advocating for independence, has called on the United Nations to intervene, labeling the Indonesian military and police as barbaric.
