Police rejected a request by six Papuan Tribal Council executives to allow UN staff to accompany them during an investigation into the hoisting of a separatist flag last week.

"The case has nothing to do with the United Nations," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Abubakar Nataprawira was quoted by Antara as saying here Friday.

He said the questioning of a witness or suspect could only be accompanied by a lawyer. "If they do not afford to get a lawyer we will find a lawyer for them," he added.

The six council members showed up at Papua Police headquarters Thursday, but refused to be questioned about the case unless they were accompanied by UN staff.

The Papuans were summoned as witnesses after their council organized an event on Aug. 9, 2008, to mark International Indigenous Day in Wamena regency.

During the celebration, several participants raised a separatist Kejora flag, inciting violence in which a man was shot dead by police.