Indonesia, West Papua – On the night of 13 March 2025, military personnel reportedly tortured three indigenous Papuans in the Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. During the time oft he incident the five inhabitants were recovering from a tribal dispute between supporters of political candidates during the local elections, with two of the men suffering severe arrow wounds.

The soldiers ambushed the five men inside a traditional house near the new market in the town of Mulia around 8:30 pm. They threatened the five inhabitants at gunpoint, forced them to leave the house while insulting them as pigs and dogs. Three of the five victims were forcefully taken to the nearby military base in Puncak Jaya around 9:00 pm. They were arbitrarily detained, interrogated, and tortured at the Kodim 1714 military base in Puncak Jaya for more than two hours.

The military personnel delivered collective beatings during transport and detention at the base. Duirng the subsequent interrogation the soldiers repeatedly accused them of involvement in the murder of a comrade during the electoral conflict. Despite the violence they experienced, the three victims denied the murder allegations. They were eventually released after the commanding officer apolligised and offered a compensation of IDR 300,000 (approx. Euro 18) to them. All three were returned to the house at 03:15 am, without receiving medical aid.

Victims of torture in Mulia, Puncak Jaya, on 13 March 2025

1. P. W, 28, Threatened at gunpoint and arbitrarily detained and subsequently tortured
2. L. A, 21, Threatened at gunpoint and arbitrarily detained and subsequently tortured
3. E. W, 20, Threatened at gunpoint and arbitrarily detained and subsequently tortured
4. Y. W, 67, Threatened at gunpoint inside their house
5. E. W, 18, Threatened at gunpoint inside their house

Source: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-members-torture-five-indigenous-papuans-in-puncak-jaya