On 15 April 2026, joint security force members arbitrarily apprehended Mr Moses Worait and Mr Lukas Ky (see phot on top, source: Jubi) at a motorbike workshop located next to the South Sorong Police Station in Teminabuan District, Southwest Papua Province. Both individuals were detained without a clear legal ground. Mr Lukas Ky is a senior high school student and was released the same day at approximately 7:00 pm, while Mr Moses Worait remained in custody overnight He was released on 16 April 2026 at approximately 06:00 am following interrogation.
Mr Worait and Mr Lukas Ky were repairing a motorbike at a workshop when security personnel arrived suddenly on motorbikes and apprehended them without prior summons, explanation, or presentation of a warrant. Mr Moses Worait was interrogated in relation to a shooting incident that had occurred in Sorry Village on 22 March 2026. He denied any involvement. Despite his explanation that he had previously surrendered to the authorities in December 2024, officers allegedly continued to treat him as a suspect.
No evidence was presented linking either detainee to any criminal offence. Mr Lukas Ky was released on the same day, while Moses Worait remained detained overnight without legal clarity before being released the following morning.
Legal and human rights analysis
The detention of both individuals raise serious concerns under international human rights law, particularly the prohibition of arbitrary arrest under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Indonesia is a State Party. The absence of a warrant, failure to inform the detainees of the reasons for arrest, and lack of prompt judicial oversight indicate that the deprivation of liberty was unlawful and arbitrary.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-060-2026
Region: Indonesia, Southwest Papua, South Sorong
Total number of victims: 2
1. Lukas Ky, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
2. Moses Worait, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 15/04/2026-16/04/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia, Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples
Source: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/arbitrary-detention-of-two-papuans-in-south-sorong-regency