The Indonesian military announced that it had arrested 13 soldiers for torturing a Papuan man, after a video of the incident emerged.
A video of many people beating a Papuan man, while this man's hands were tied and locked in a water tank, has been widely shared on Indonesian social networks in recent days. Another video shows the man being slashed in the back by a man in military uniform holding a knife. Papua province is a resource-rich region located in the easternmost part of the country, with a high degree of autonomy compared to other Indonesian provinces.
The two videos have caused a wave of strong criticism on Indonesian social networks. Izak Pangemana, a senior official of the Israeli army in Papua province, on March 25 confirmed the content of the videos and said the incident happened in February.
The man was tortured by Indonesian soldiers in a video filmed in February. Screenshots
“This is an illegal act that tarnishes the name of the army and sabotages efforts to resolve the conflict in Papua,” Mr. Pangemana said, adding that 13 soldiers were arrested on suspicion of participating torture case. “I apologize to all the people of Papua. We will make every effort to ensure this incident does not happen again."
Kristomei Sianturi, Indonesian military spokesman, confirmed on the same day that this force had arrested 13 soldiers out of a total of 42 people questioned. The identities of the soldiers will be announced soon.
Fighting between armed separatist forces and government troops has begun to appear in Papua province since the region was annexed by Indonesia following a referendum held under United Nations supervision in year 1969.
Papuan activists criticized the vote and demanded another referendum, but the Indonesian government affirmed that the United Nations supports Jakarta's sovereignty over the area.
Location of Papua province. Graphics: DW
Pham Giang (Follow Reuters, AFP)
