Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Coalition of Law Enforcement and Human Rights as the legal representative of the family of Second Brig. Fernando Diego Rumaropen asked the Papua Police to completely investigate Diego’s death and bring the responsible party to court. Diego was a member of Yon D Wamena Mobile Brigade (Brimob) who died along with the missing of two Brimob firearms in Napua Village, Jayawijaya Regency on June 18, 2022.
Helmi, a member of the Coalition, said the family demanded criminal proceedings against Adj. Comr. Rustam as Diego’s commander.
“On August 2, 2022, Adj. Comr. Rustam underwent an ethics trial and was declared guilty of negligence that resulted in Diego’s death and the loss of two guns,” said Helmi.
Helmi said the Police’s Ethics Commission also recommended Adj. Comr. Rustam dishonorable discharge. “Therefore, it is appropriate for Adj. Comr. Rustam to be criminally processed because his negligence caused the death of Fernando Diego Rumaropen in accordance with Article 359 of the Criminal Code,” Helmi said in a press conference held in Jayapura City on Monday, January 23, 2023.
Helmi said there were many irregularities in the chronology of Diego’s death and the disappearance of the two firearms including a sniper rifle.
The location of the incident was an open field visible from the military post. There were at least eight people who were around the location as stated by Adj. Comr. Rustam. However, there were no eyewitnesses to Diego’s murder. The Coalition also questioned why Rustam did not report to the military post near the location.
Helmi emphasized that the family had reported Diego’s death to the Jayawijaya Police. According to Helmi, his office had received Jayawijaya Police Chief Letter Number: B/633/IX/2022/Res Jawi dated September 10, 2022 stating that the case of Diego’s death had been transferred to the Papua Police.
Helmi asked the Papua Police to announce the progress of the investigation and the obstacles experienced by investigators to carry out criminal proceedings against Adj, Comr. Rustam.
Meanwhile, Gustaf R Kawer, another member of the Coalition, said he appreciated the ethics trial that had been carried out against Adj. Comr. Rustam. However, Kawer emphasized that it should be followed up with criminal charges for Diego’s death. “We hope our report will be followed up proportionally and professionally,” Kawer said. (*)
