Activists allege abuses in Papua<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Indonesian troops are suspected of killing a prisoner
\nin custody and of torturing several other people in a recent
\noperation in easternmost Papua province, a human rights group
\nsaid Monday.<\/p>\n
The military denied the charges, the latest in a series
\nleveled at soldiers in the separatist-minded region on the
\nwestern side of Papua New Guinea island.<\/p>\n
In a 68-page report, the local human rights group Coalition
\nfor the Protection and Upholding of Human Rights said the alleged
\nabuses were committed in central Papua in April by troops
\nsearching for the killers of two soldiers in the area.<\/p>\n
Papua is home to a small separatist movement that has been
\nbattling Indonesian rule since 1969.<\/p>\n
Anum Siregar, a spokesman for the group, said the team had
\ncollected data on 35 separate cases of arrest, torture and
\nintimidation and 17 arson attacks on homes in the central Papuan
\nregion of Wamena.<\/p>\n
\"There has been torture of suspects ... especially in military
\ndetention before they were handed over to the police,\" the report
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
One of the suspects -- identified as Yapenas Murib -- died in
\na hospital on Apr. 14 after being tortured in military custody,
\nthe report said.<\/p>\n
Col. Djazairi Nachrowi, a military spokesman in Jakarta, said
\nhe was aware of the allegations, but that they were false.<\/p>\n
\"The process of investigation and the interrogation of those
\nimplicated in the case was according to our procedures,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"There were no reports of violence.\" --AP<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/activists-allege-abuses-in-papua-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }