Meirto Tangkepayung, Jayapura – A suspected Papuan rebel was apprehended on Saturday on charges of murdering a middle-ranking army officer, with police stating that he was found in possession of the victim's cellular phone.
Anan Nawipa was detained in a village in Paniai regency, Papua, following an investigation into the April 11 murder of First Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, the commander of the Aradide District Military Command in the easternmost province.
A joint team of police and military personnel discovered "strong indications" of Anan's involvement in the murder, according to Bayu Suseno, the spokesman for the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force in Papua.
"We arrested Anan after our team conducted a thorough investigation into the murder of the district military commander. During the arrest, we recovered the victim's cellphone from Anan's bag," Bayu stated.
"During interrogation, Anan confessed to participating with fellow members of the rebel group in fatally shooting the officer," Bayu added.
The body of Oktovianus was discovered on the Trans-Papua road between Enarotali and Aradide.
The Free Papua Movement (OPM) circulated a video showing Oktovianus being shot while riding his motorcycle. One of the assailants proceeded to attack him with a machete as he lay on the ground.
The assailants were seen dancing around the body before posing for a photograph. OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom stated that at the time of the attack, it was carried out by a team led by Osea Satu Boma.