Banjir Ambarita – It has been revealed that the officer who died after setting himself and part of a police dormitory in Serui, Yappen Islands, Papua, on fire had a history of mental illness and had previously attempted to set fire to the provincial police headquarters, Papua Police confirmed on Wednesday.

Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono told the Jakarta Globe that the officer, Brig. Yosef Resubun, had once attempted to burn down Papua Police Headquarters in Jayapura, though he was caught lighting papers.

He said Yosef was detained for 21 days, during which time he was examined psychologically. "When arrested, his mental condition was checked and it was discovered that he had a mental disorder, though it was not permanent."

Wachyono said the officer was transferred to Yapen Islands Police. "He was transferred because in addition to attempting to set the police headquarters on fire, he also had a mental disorder," he said, "Throughout his time in Serui, he had been under surveillance, but sadly he set himself on fire."

Asked whether the depression was due to heavy work pressures, Wachyono said the incident was still under investigation.