Mutilation Case in Papua; Jokowi Orders Military Commander to Assist Police

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo instructed the Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa to assist and back up the legal process carried out by the police in the mutilation case in Papua which allegedly involves six soldiers. He said the legal process must be continued.

“So that the public's trust in the TNI does not fade. I think the most important thing is to thoroughly investigate it and continue the legal process,” said the President after handing out the Business Identification Number (NIB) for MSME players at Toware Sports Hall, Jayapura, Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Previous reports suggested that the sadistic event occurred on August 22 at around 21:50 eastern Indonesian time (WIT) in Mimika Baru District, against Arnold Lokbere, Irian Nirigi, Leman Nirigi, and another unidentified victim. Their bodies were dumped around the Kampung Pigapu river, Iwaka District.

The case was revealed after Arnold Lokbere's body was found Friday, August 26, and the unidentified victim’s body was also discovered a day after.

Other than the soldiers, four civilians APL, DU, R, and RMH had been named suspects. Three of them had been arrested. The Papuan Police continue to track down the other suspect, RMH.

“One suspect is on the DPO (police’s wanted list),” said the Papua Police’s Director of General Criminal Investigation Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

As of Tuesday, the police had only identified three bodies of the victims. The body parts of the fourth victim are still being searched.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) Brigadier General Tatang Subarna said the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command in Mimika had detained the six soldiers involved in the mutilation case. They are Major Inf. Hf, Captain Inf. Dk, Pr, Ras, Pc, and R.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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