1) Police named 12 terrorists in Merauke as suspects

2) Indonesia arrests Papuan leader over 'fake news’

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/176322/police-named-12-terrorists-in-merauke-as-suspects

1) Police named 12 terrorists in Merauke as suspects  

2 hours ago

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The police named 12 people arrested by the Indonesian Police's anti-terror squad Densus 88 in Merauke as terrorist suspects, Merauke Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Untung Sangaji stated here on Friday.

"It is true that the police has named 12 terrorists as suspects, and they will be transferred (to Jakarta) soon," Sangaji remarked without elaborating further.

Sangaji noted that the suspects arrested in Merauke were related to one another, with some of them being involved in suicide bombings in several regions in Indonesia, including the bombing in Makassar, South Sulawesi, in January.

"Those arrested in Makassar will also be transferred to Jakarta," he affirmed.

Sangaji did not furnish details on the initials of the suspects, saying that the police is still investigating the case further.

"The police has continued to conduct 'sweeping' in Merauke, so the number of suspects may increase," he stated.

Densus 88 and the Papua Police have since May 28 arrested dozens of terror suspects allegedly belonged to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah group and seized various weapons.

Some of the suspects allegedly planned to conduct suicide bombings at several churches in Merauke, Jagebob, Kurik, Semangga, and Tanah Mirin. 
Related news: Six armed Papuan separatist terrorist groups actively operate: police

Related news: Merauke terrorist group made loyalty oath to ISIS: Police spokesman

EDITED BY INE

Reporter: Evarukdijati, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf

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https://www.ucanews.com/news/indonesia-arrests-papuan-leader-over-fake-news/92832#

2) Indonesia arrests Papuan leader over 'fake news’

Head of West Papua National Committee allegedly posted provocative stories about church leaders

Konradus EpaKonradus Epa, Jakarta

Published: June 11, 2021 07:02 AM GMT

Indonesian police question Manuel Metemko after his arrest for allegedly spreading fake news in Merauke. (Photo: Nemangkawi Task Force)

Indonesian authorities have arrested a Papuan pro-independence leader for allegedly spreading false and inflammatory stories on social media, including fake news about Catholic Church leaders.

Manuel Metemko, 38, chairman of the pro-separatist West Papua National Committee (KNPB), was arrested by a joint military and police team called the Nemangkawi Task Force in Merauke district on June 9.

“He has repeatedly spread hoaxes, provocative stories and hatred online via his Facebook page,” task force spokesman Iqbal Alqudussy told reporters on June 10

One of his posts claimed that Sacred Heart Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi, who was allegedly the target of suicide bombers, was targeted by terrorists aiming to prevent a visit by Pope Francis to Papua.

In another, he allegedly claimed the supposed plot could have been a bid by authorities to stop religious leaders talking about the violence in Papua.

Yet another post said religious leaders were being terrorized by unidentified people.

It was strange that the task force made the arrest as it would normally be an investigator that did it Tweet

Other posts included calls for an independence referendum and condemnation of Papua’s special autonomy status. 

He was charged under Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transaction law and could be sentenced to six years in prison.

Emanuel Gobay, director of the Legal Aid Foundation in Papua, said Metemko’s arrest was unusual. 

There have been no complaints filed with police about his posts, which you might have expected before his arrest, he said. 

Also, “it was strange that the task force made the arrest as it would normally be an investigator that did it,” Gobay said, adding that everything pointed to authorities targeting KNPB leaders. 

He said Metemko was the second KNPB leader arrested by the task force.

Victor Yeimo, the group’s international spokesman, was arrested in the provincial capital Jayapura on May 9 in connection with anti-racism riots in August 2019 in cities across Papua in which more than 30 people were killed.

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