TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo did not comment too much when asked about the murder and mutilation of four Papua civilians by a number of TNI Army soldiers in the Mimika District area. The president claims he had not heard too much about the case.

“Ask the governor. I have not yet heard about it. [Ask] the Regent and Police Chief,” said the President as aired by the Presidential Secretariate Office Youtube channel on August 31.

The alleged murder and mutilation of the four Papuans are suspected to have also involved four civilians with the initials APL, DU, R, and RMH. So far, the Papuan Police have only managed to arrest three of them.

"One suspect is still on the run," said the Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Papua Police, Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani when contacted, Tuesday, August 30.

Police announced that the number of victims has increased from what they thought were two people to what is now believed to be four people. Up to Tuesday, police have discovered three bodies and are searching for the fourth victim’s physical remains.

The victims of the sadistic killing were first discovered on August 22 in the New Mimika District with the initial victims known to be Arnold Lokbere, Irian Nirigi, Leman Nirigi, and a fourth that is being identified. Following the incident, the Indonesian Army spokesperson brigadier general Tatang Subarna said the Mimika military base had arrested six soldiers involved in the killings.

The TNI Army members arrested are major infantry HF, captain infantry DK, Praka Pr, Pratu Ras, Pratu Pc, and Pratu R.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH I FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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