Matan Klembiap and Daniel Gobay were arrested at gunpoint on 15 February 2013 along with Arsel Kobak, Eneko Pahabol, Yosafat Satto, Salim Yaru and Obed Bahabol in connection with pro-independence activists. During detention at Jayapura police station they allegedly suffered torture, intimidation and degrading treatment when they told police that they had no knowledge of the whereabouts of pro-independence activists Sebby Sambom and Terianus Satto. Sebby Sambom is a former political prisoner who served time in jail for his involvement in peaceful mass demonstrations carried out by the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) in 2008. The seven men were allegedly kicked, beaten with rattan sticks, electrocuted and forced to take their clothes off.
On 16 February 2013, five of the seven men were released while Klembiap and Gobay were charged with possession of sharp weapons under Emergency Law 12/1951. Following a request from Matan Klembiap’s family, he received legal accompaniment from lawyers with the Alliance of Democracy for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP). On 23 April, Klembiap was transferred to Abepura prison. Local human rights sources reported Klembiap’s declining physical and mental states during detention in Abepura prison as a result of the torture he suffered in detention at Jayapura Regional police station.
Human rights investigators reported an attempted assassination of Klembiap’s family on 24 May 2013. A man armed with a knife reportedly entered the house of Dominggas Kromsian, Klembiap’s wife, around midnight while she and her children were asleep. The man allegedly positioned the knife above her chest but Kromsian managed to snatch the knife away from him and demanded to know his motives. The man reportedly admitted to being paid IDR 3 million to murder Kromsian and her husband, as well as Yosafat Satto and his wife, due to their pro-independence activities.
In July 2013, the Public Prosecutor demanded an eight-month prison sentence for Klembiap. The following month, Gobay and Klembiap were sentenced to 6 months 15 days and 6 months 10 days respectively minus time already spent in detention. Klembiap was released on 25 August 2013 while Gobay was released five days later on 30 August.
Sources
Email correspondence with local human rights investigator, July – September 2013
Report received from human rights worker, “Laporan tentang ancaman terhadap Istri Matan Klembiab, oleh orang yang dipasang BIN,” 4 June 2013
Asian Human Rights Commission, “INDONESIA: Seven Papuans are arrested and tortured on false allegations of having a relationship with pro-independence activists,” 19 February 2013, http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-024-2013
Tabloid Jubi, “Tujuh Warga Papua Diduga Disiksa Oleh Polisi, 19 February 2013, http://tabloidjubi.com/?p=12970
Tabloid Jubi, “Tak Benar Polisi Siksa Tujuh Warga Papua,”20 February 2013, http://tabloidjubi.com/?p=13024
Suara Papua, “Dago Gobay Bantah Pernyataan Kapolres Jayapura,” 12 March 2013, http://suarapapua.com/2013/03/dago-gobay-bantah-pernyataan-kapolres-jayapura/
