Paulus Alua, a University student and activist with the West Papua National Committee (Komisi Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) was arrested alongside Barnabas Mansoben, a farmer and KNPB activist, on 21 October 2012 for allegedly possessing bomb-making materials.
During his arrest plainclothes police (note: Aparat kepolisian berpakain preman) tortured Alua, handcuffing, and then beating, kicking and beating him with their pistols. Following this ill-treatment, he was transferred to investigators who interrogated him regarding a KNPB planned rally on 23 October 2012. During his detention, Alua was also reportedly forced to confess to preparation and possession of bomb-making materials.
The trial of the two activists began in 2013, and in March a lawyer for the two activists stated that the indictments were excessive, appealing to the judge for their release given the absence of any strong evidence. The lawyer’s submission was rejected.
Sources
West Papua Media, “Biak District court decides to continue hearings against two KNPB Biak activists,” 7 March 2013, http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/03/10/biak-district-court-decides-to-continue-hearings-against-two-knpb-biak-activists/
