Military personnel allegedly torture Papuan man following armed clash in Sory Village, Maybrat Regency
On 23 March 2026, military personnel allegedly tortured Mr Yusup Sorry, 32, during detention following an armed clash between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the Sory Village, South Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua Province. Mr Sorry is a local civilian who was not participating in the hostilities. The incident caused wider attention after a recording of the detention circulated in social media. The armed clash resulted in temporary disruption of civilian life and reports of a humanitarian emergency in the village, where people were afraid to go to their gardens. Mr Sorry was reportedly released on 23 March 2026 following public pressure and advocacy.
On 22 March 2026, an armed clash took place near a military post located in Sory village, South Aifat District. Reports indicate that the confrontation resulted in the deaths of two TNI personnel and serious injuries to another. Following the clash, security forces raided the Sory Village and arbitrarily detained Mr Yusup Sorry. Witness accounts and video footage circulating on social media (see video below, source: independent HRD) suggest that he was tied to a tree with ropes and subjected to physical and psychological intimidation during interrogation by military personnel.th video shows Mr Sorry in visible distress while being tied to a tree during interrogation. A military member beats Mr Sorry’s forehead with a wooden branch causing the branch to break. Another soldier appears to check Mr Sorry’s mobile phone while holding pliers in his hands.
During the same security operations, several other civilians were reportedly detained in connection with the armed confrontation. Some were allegedly held at Tambrauw Police Station and Sorong Regional Police Headquarters, while others were later released. Community leaders and residents of Sory village reported that ongoing military presence and gunfire created a climate of fear, preventing villagers from carrying out daily activities and limiting access to food for at least 24 hours.
On 23 March 2026, Mr Yusup Sorry was released and returned to his family at approximately 5:00 pm, following advocacy by local leaders, legal aid organisations, and public attention generated by the viral video footage.
Human rights analysis
The alleged treatment of Yusup Sorry raises serious concerns regarding arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, and the protection of civilians in situations of non-international armed conflict. The detention appears to have been conducted without clear evidence of direct participation in hostilities, potentially violating safeguards under Indonesian criminal procedure law and international human rights standards enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil on political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
Subjecting suspects to intimidation or violence during interrogation may constitute torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, which is absolutely prohibited under the CAT and Article 7 ICCPR. The reported detention of multiple civilians in connection with the armed clash also highlights broader concerns about collective punishment, and intimidation of the civilian population.
The presence of military posts within civilian settlements in Maybrat may further expose residents to heightened risks of violence, internal displacement, and deprivation of basic necessities, undermining the state’s obligation to protect civilians and ensure access to food and security.
Military personnel tied Mr Yusup Sorry to a tree and reportedly tortured him during interrogation, on 23 March 2026
Mr Sorry during detention (left) and after being released on 23 March 2026
Detailed Case Data
Location: Sory, Aifat Selatan, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua, Indonesia (-1.3950223, 132.4528138)
Region: Indonesia, Southwest Papua, Maybrat, South Aifat
Total number of victims: 1
Location: Sory, Aifat Selatan, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua, Indonesia (-1.3950223, 132.4528138)
Region: Indonesia, Southwest Papua, Maybrat, South Aifat
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Yusup Sorry | male | 32 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention, torture |
Perpetrator: Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples
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