Nabire, Jubi – The Talenta Keadilan Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH-TK) reported the wrongful arrest of two students named ET and DT, who were accused of carrying firearms. LBH-TK reported the case to the Nabire Police in Central Papua Province on Monday, December 19, 2022.
Director of LBH-TK Richardani Nawipa said ET and DT were arrested on Saturday, December 17, and were also beaten by police when they were arrested at Samabusa Harbor.
“The police investigated two students, ET and DT, who allegedly brought firearms from Jayapura to Nabire. It turned out to be a toy gun. ET and DT were sent home on Sunday,” Nawipa told Jubi on Monday.
ET is a Cenderawasih University student from Paniai Regency, while DT is a student of Satya Wiyata Mandala University Nabire who lives in Sanoba Atas, Nabire Regency.
ET and DT were arrested when they were about to disembark from the Gunung Dempo Ship, which sailed from Jayapura City and docked at Samabusa Port on Saturday. A number of security forces boarded the ship and arrested the two students accused of carrying firearms. Both were taken to the Nabire Police Headquarters.
Nawipa said the beatings against ET and DT occurred in the car during their trip to Nabire Police Headquarters, as well as at the headquarters. Later, the police realized that the firearms were toys.
“It was a wrongful arrest as they did not carry firearms. We reported the beating to the internal division at the police,” he said.
Nawipa said the actions of the perpetrators were an offense of persecution as stipulated in Article 351 of the Criminal Code and police disciplinary regulations. “We are assisting the victims and we condemn the unprofessional actions taken by security forces. We ask that the perpetrators be held responsible,” said Nawipa. (*)
