On 30 April 2013, a group of community members gathered at the house of Isak Kalaibin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the administrative transfer of Papua to Indonesia. Reports from local human rights sources state that at around 20:00 Papuan time, security forces comprised of police and military officials in four vehicles fired warning shots which agitated the demonstrators who then proceeded towards the vehicles. Security forces responded by firing into the crowd for 20 minutes, causing the death of two activists, Apner Malagawak and Thomas Blesia. A third activist, Salomina Kalaibin, the sister of Isak Kalaibin, later died in hospital under suspicious circumstances.
Antonius Saruf, Obeth Kamesrar, Klemens Kodimko, Isak Kalaibin, Obaja Kamesrar, Yordan Magablo and Hengky Mangamis have been charged for treason under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code and possession of weapons under the Emergency Law 12/1951. The seven activists are receiving legal accompaniment from the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) and members of the Civil Society Coalition for the Upholding of Law and Human Rights in Papua.
According to sources from LP3BH, the seven activists have faced restricted access to their lawyers while in detention in Sorong police station. Police had reportedly cited Article 115 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that in cases of suspected treason, lawyers may observe the interrogation but may not actually hear what is being said. Prosecutors have presented three witnesses, reportedly two of whom were not present at the time of the incident on 30 April. Defence lawyers have objected to the Prosecutor’s submission of these two witnesses – the head of Aimas District government and the head of the government National Unity office (Kesbang) in Manokwari.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) visited Aimas as part of its investigations into the shootings on 30 April. A statement by LP3BH states that the investigations remain inconclusive. At the time of writing, the findings of the Komnas HAM investigations have not yet been published.
On 1 November 2014, Antonius Saruf, Obaja Kamesrar, Yordan Magablo, Hengky Mangamis, Obeth Kamesrar and Klemens Kodimko were released following the end of their prison sentences.
Sources
“Sidang Makar Aimas Terkesan Dipaksakan,” Tabloid Jubi, 28 August 2013, http://tabloidjubi.com/2013/08/28/sidang-makar-aimas-terkesan-dipaksakan/
LP3BH statement, “Surat Dakwaan untuk 7 [Tujuh] Tersangka Makar Aimas-Sorong,” 6 August 2013
LP3BH statement, “7 tersangka “Makar” Aimas ke PN. Sorong, Impunitas tetap,” 2 August 2013
“Kapolres Sorong Dituding Halangi Hak Isak Klaibin Cs,” Tabloid Jubi, 16 May 2013, http://tabloidjubi.com/2013/05/16/kapolres-sorong-dituding-halangi-hak-isak-klaibin-cs/
“Enam Tersangka Aimas Dituduh Melakukan Makar,” Suara Papua, 10 May 2013, http://suarapapua.com/2013/05/enam-tersangka-aimas-dituduh-melakukan-makar/
“Enam Warga Sorong Jadi Tersangka Makar,” ALDP Papua, 10 May 2013, http://www.aldp-papua.com/enam-warga-sorong-jadi-tersangka-makar/
Report received by email from local human rights source entitled “Kronologis penembakan Masyarakat Sipil di Aimas Kabupaten Sorong,” 8 May 2013
“Aktivis Papua Kecam Penembakan Sorong,” ALDP Papua, 5 May 2013, http://www.aldp-papua.com/aktivis-papua-kecam-penembakan-sorong/
Last updated: 7 August 2013
