TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police have released two Papuan college students who were arrested on August 30 and 31 in Depok and Jakarta for allegedly committing treason as they lacked evidence.

“Out of eight [students] arrested, two of them have been released. Six of them are still detained,” said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono to Tempo, Tuesday, September 3.

Argo stopped short of detailing the investigation result on the two students. He said the rest six students are still being questioned in Police Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java.

The two are identified as Naliana Wasiangge and Norince Kogoya. While the six are Dano Tabuni, Carles Kossay, Ambrosius Mulait, Isay Wenda, Wenebita Wasiangge, and the head of Indonesian Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) Surya Anta Ginting.

On Saturday, August 31, the police apprehended the two in the Papuan student dormitory in Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok City. The other six were nabbed during a protest in front of the Jakarta Police HQ. The arrest resulted from the students' demonstration where they raised Bintang Kejora or morning star flag before State Palace, Jakarta, last Wednesday.

The rally was held by dozens of people and Papuan students who named them as the student committee of anti-racism, capitalism, colonialism, and militarism. They condemned the racist acts against their fellow students in Surabaya. Three morning star flags were hoisted by the mass.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH