Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D Fakhiri said that Victor Yeimo, the international spokesperson of the National Committee of West Papua (KNPB) arrested by the police on Sunday, May 9, 2021, would face multiple charges including treason charges.
Other than charged with treason, Yeimo was also accused of violating articles on flags and state symbols, provoking to fight against the authorities, using common force to commit violence, arson, and theft.
“I make sure [Victor Yeimo] is a suspect. We arrested Yeimo on Sunday based on a lot of reports. First, we detained him for allegedly provoking the 2019 riots,” Fakhiri said on Monday. In August 2019, riots broke out in Papua and West Papua as local people and students protested against the racial abuse of Papuan students in East Java.
“For that, we will charge him of crimes against national security,” said Fakhiri.
He said Yeimo violated Article 106 jo. 82 and Article 110 of Criminal Code (treason), articles in Law No.24/2009 on flags, languages, state symbols, and national anthem, Article 160 of Criminal Code (incitement to fight against the authorities), Article 187 of Criminal Code (arson), Article 365 of Criminal Code (theft), Article 170 Paragraph 1 of Criminal Code (use common force to commit violence), and Article 2 of Law No.12/1961 on the possession of batting or stabbing weapon.
Fakhiri said his party was investigating all police reports on Yeimo including the alleged violation against Law No. 19/2016 on electronic information and transaction. “Yeimo also [allegedly] distributed propaganda. We will probe the matter further,” he said.
On Sunday, Yeimo was transferred from the Papua Police headquarters to the Papua Mobile Brigade headquarters in Kotaraja. “The police will investigate him there. I have asked the investigators to treat the suspect well. We put forward the presumption of innocence,” he said.
Reporter: Yuliana Lantipo
Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G
