On 6 March 2026, a Police officer attacked 24-year-old Mrs Ardhalina Lanuhu multiple times at the Jaya Permai housing complex, East Sorong District, Sorong City, Papua Barat province. The victim reportedly sustained eight stab wounds to her chest, arms, and legs and was admitted to Sele Be Solu Hospital in Sorong City, where she remains under intensive medical care. The suspected perpetrator is a member of the Papua Barat Regional Police (Polda Papua Barat).
According to Suara Papua and statements by local authorities, the incident occurred when the suspect allegedly went to the victim's family residence because of a dipute with the victim's parents. When he arrived at the house, the parents were not present. The suspect reportedly directed his anger toward Mrs Ardhalina Lanuhu, who was at home at the time. During the confrontation, the perpetrator reportedly attacked the victim with a knife, inflicting eight stab wounds, including a wound to the left chest and several wounds to both arms. Following the attack, the victim was admitted to Sele Be Solu Hospital, where she continues to receive intensive medical care.
The Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Papua Barat Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Junov Siregar, confirmed that the suspect has been apprehended and is currently being investigated. The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua Pos Sorong) strongly condemned the incident The organisation has called on the Chief of the Papua Barat Regional Police to ensure that the suspect is prosecuted and to impose dismissal with dishonour (Pemberhentian Tidak Dengan Hormat – PDTH) if the allegations are proven.
LBH Pos Sorong called upon police authorities to ensure transparency, accountability, and adequate protection for the victim and her family. Following the investigation process, lawyers found irregularities because the investigators applied Article 466 of Law No 1/2023 concerning severe abuse instead of applying Article 459 of the Criminal Code concerning premeditated murder, as indicated by the chronology of events.
Human rights analysis
The case raises concerns regarding the use of violence by state agents against civilians, even though the armed attack occurred in a private context. Law-enforcement officers are bound by higher standards of conduct due to their public authority and responsibility to protect the population. Violent acts committed by police personnel may constitute violations of the right to security of person as enshrined in Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and protection from violence. They require prompt, impartial, and effective investigation to ensure accountability and prevent impunity. The investigation must be conducted in accordance with due process guarantees, ensuring that the victim receives access to justice, medical care, and protection from intimidation or retaliation. Moreover, the potentially lethal attack on Mrs Lanuhu amounts to violation of Article 6 ICCPR on the right to life as well as Article 7 ICCPR, prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Detailed case data
Location: 38PH+QRP, Klasaman, Sorong Timur, Sorong City, Southwest Papua 98416, Indonesia (-0.9130477, 131.3295656) Alima Jaya Permai Housing Estate, Sorong
Region: Indonesia, Southwest Papua, Sorong City, East Sorong
Total number of victims: 1
1. Ardhalina Lanuhu, female 24 Unknown right to life, torture
Period of incident: 06/03/2026-06/03/2026
Perpetrator:, Provincial Police (POLDA)
Issues: security force violence, women and children