2) Two minor girls sexually abused during police custody in Kaimana – Police officer arrested
3) Police officer fatally shoots man at cockfighting arena in Manokwari
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Human Rights Monitor
1) Military members torture Papuan man inside military post in Intan Jaya
On 4 March 2025, Mr Aguni Sondegau, a 25-year-old motorcycle taxi driver was arbitrarily arrested and tortured by members of the Yonif 509 military unit at the Holomama Military Post, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province. The TNI members arrested Mr Sondegau at approximately 08:00 am without a warrant.
After his apprehension, he was taken to the military post, where the soldiers interrogated and tortured him inside the post. The TNI members beat Mr Sondegau with a wooden stick at least four times on the back.
Following the news of Mr Sondegau’s arrest, residents, family members, intellectuals, and representatives from the church gathered at the TNI post and demanded his release. After negotiations with the military personnel, Aguni Sondegau was finally released (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). Upon his release, his family immediately took him to the hospital for medical treatment.
Background
Since 18 October 2024, the Indonesian military has been engaged in a counterattack against the TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya troops in Sugapa District. While there were no reported casualties on either side during the initial clashes, the situation has escalated, leading to civilian fatalities, and internal displacement.
HRM observes that violence has escalated significantly in Mamba Village, Sugapa District, amid intensifying armed conflict. Security forces, particularly the military, have increased repression against civilians, leaving residents vulnerable to arbitrary detention, torture, and unlawful executions.
Recent reports from the conflict-ridden region of Intan Jaya in the Papua Tengah province have raised serious concerns about the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire between the TNI and the TPNPB. The TNI continues to intensify its operations in Intan Jaya, leading lately to increased displacement of indigenous communities and severe human rights abuses. Military posts have been established in and near residential areas, significantly raising the risk for human rights violations to occur.
Reports also indicate that the military seized land belonging to the Moni Tribe in Intan Jaya Regency, without the consent or agreement of the indigenous community. The land, located in Silatugapa Village, is intended for the construction of a new military battalion. This move has sparked outrage among local communities and human rights organisations. The Moni Tribe, like many other indigenous groups in West Papua, relies heavily on the forest for their livelihoods and cultural practices. The military’s presence in the area severely restricts their access to vital resources and traditional lands.
Torture marks on Mr Aguni Sondegau’s back, 4 March 2025
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Human Rights Monitor
2) Two minor girls sexually abused during police custody in Kaimana – Police officer arrested
The sexual assault of two underaged females during police custody in the Kaimana Regency, Papua Barat Province, on 16 February 2025 has again drawn public attention to the lack of professionalism among the police in West Papua. A police officer with the initials EMP (see photo below, source: independent HRD) is suspected of sexually abusing two girls, aged 13 and 14 years after they were caught stealing. The victims’ parents reported the sexual assault to the Kaimana District Police on 20 February 2025. Police officers arrested MEP in West Seram, Maluku Province after he had gone into hiding.
According to media information, the officer MEP arrested the two victims in the hallway of a mosque near the Pasar Baru Kaimana Market on 16 February 2025, at around 11 pm. The arrest was carried out based on allegations of theft. MEP detained the two girls at the Pasar Baru Police Post for two days without notifying the parents. The victims testified that EMF repeatedly hit them with the hand to the back of the head during detention. EMF is accused of sexually abusing one of the girls outside the police post. After bringing the victim back to the detention cell, MEP reportedly raped the other girl in a separate room inside the post.
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3) Police officer fatally shoots man at cockfighting arena in Manokwari
On 30 December 2024, a shooting occurred at a cockfighting arena in Prafi, Manokwari Regency, Papua Barat Province. A police officer’s warning shot killed a civilian named Amir Hidayat Sianturi. The officer involved, identified as Brigadier A, was reportedly breaking up a disturbance at the cockfighting venue when the projectile ricocheted, hitting Sianturi. Amir Hidayat Sianturi. Sianturi was initially rushed to Pratama Warmare Hospital and later transferred to Bhayangkara Manokwari Hospital, where he succumbed to his injury.
On 31 December 2024, the Head of the Papua Barat Regional Police, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, announced that Bripka A had been detained as the investigation continued. Isir confirmed that legal actions would proceed, although the details of the investigation were still being finalized.
On 2 January 2025, the Manokwari District Attorney’s Office (Kejari) received a Letter of Notification of the Start of Investigation (SPDP) regarding the case, with the suspect identified as Bripka A. However, the prosecution process faced delays, as the Manokwari District Attorney’s Office had not received the complete investigation file from the police. Without the files, the prosecutor could not proceed with the legal process.
The investigation has remained stagnant despite repeated extensions of Bripka A’s detention. The Manokwari City Police Criminal Investigation Unit, led by AKP Raja Napitupulu, has yet to provide further updates on the case, leaving the legal process in limbo. The Manokwari Legal Aid Research, Study, and Development Institute (LP3BH Manokwari) Executive Director, Mr Yan Christian Warinussy, voiced concerns that the incident could be linked to the protection of illegal gambling operations. Mr Warinussy called for a broader investigation into the potential involvement of police officers in these activities, suggesting that Bripka A may have had ownership ties to the gambling site.
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