Angela Flassy, Jayapura – The return home from Australia of two Papuan asylum seekers was due to legal problems arising from the couples ongoing incidence of domestic violence – and nothing else, Alfons Adadikam, chairman of the Melbourne based Victoria West Papua Association (VIWPA) said. He criticized the Indonesian government for using the repatriation for political gain and said the repatriation was for no other reason.

Hana Gobay and Yubel Kareni were had repeated domestic violence problems. The last reported case was in July, when Yubel hit Hana over the head with a bottle, Adadikam said.

"Yubel was then detained. They were ordered to live separately and keep a minimum distance of 200 meters. Due to pressure from the Papuan community, Yubel was released on bail," he said.

Adadikam disclosed that the couple often quarreled with each other, including one incident last year when Hana stabbed Yubel in his stomach.

"Yubel should have been taken the police office at that time, but I asked the police to release him, as he need to go to the hospital. They kept the court imposed distance, but after living separately for few months, they began living together again," he said.

The association helped the couple, along with other 41 asylum seekers, since they came to Melbourne last year, he added.

He said the asylum seekers received social support beginning two weeks after their arrival. This included a biweekly allowance of A$450 each, concessions for tram tickets, medication and accommodation.

Adadikam said he resented the couple's negative comments about the Papuan community in Australia, given after they returned home.

"If they want to return home, it's no problem. But at least they could say farewell and admit that it was their decision to leave. We regret the manipulation of the news, its against the facts," Adadikam, who still holds Indonesia citizenships, said.

He criticized the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, who, instead of helping Hana and Yubel with their problem, used it for political gain.

Wiwiek Setyawati Firman, Human Rights and Humanity Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, denied Adadikam's claims. "They came home by their own will, that's what I know. Australia has its laws, we have ours. If they were involved in a crime, I think they should be punished. Many Australians have been punished here in Indonesia," Setyawati said Wednesday.