Jayapura, Jubi – The National Police’s forensic team has sent body samples of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani to the forensic laboratory of the Hasanuddin University in Makassar, South Sulawesi to be further examined.
Zanambani was allegedly killed by Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel in Papua’s Hitadipa District, Intan Jaya Regency on September 19 last year. Several stab wounds and gunshot wounds were found in several parts of the body.
The police excavated Zanambani’s grave in Hitadipa on Saturday, June 5, 2021 after obtaining the family’s consent.
The Papua chief of the National Comission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Frits Ramandey, said that the process of exhuming the victim’s body went well and safely because of the support from the family and the community, especially the victim’s wife and children.
“The most important thing is that the family support the process, thanks to the negotiation team and the regent of Intan Jaya. In the tradition of the mountain community in Papua, it is rare for bodies that have been buried to be exhumed and moved,” Ramandey told Jubi on Thursday.
Ramandey hoped that the autopsy results would be available soon. “We are involved in observing the autopsy process. Hopefully, the results will come out soon so that the legal process can be carried out immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D Fakhiri said that besides sending the body samples to the forensic laboratory in Makassar, the victim’s DNA sample would also be examined by the Papua Police.
Fakhiri estimated the autopsy results would be available in two months. “The results will be submitted to investigators,” he said.
Previously, the fact-finding team (TGPF) assigned by the Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Ministry to investigate the fatal shooting case of Zanambani stated that an autopsy was needed to determine the suspect. TGPF chairman Benny Mamoto said the team was still waiting for an autopsy result to continue the legal process. The team has collected testimony from witnesses and investigated the crime scene.
Reporter: Arjuna Pademme
Editor: Edho Sinaga
