Victor Mambor, Jayapura, Jubi – A lawyer for four activists of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Manokwari region, said the jail sentence of 1 year 6 months for them was too harsh because they simply expressed different views.

"Alexander Nekenem, Othen Gombo, Nopinus Humawak, Yoram Magay were convicted because of different views," said lawyer Yan Christian Warinussy in a written statement received by Jubi in Jayapura on Monday (11/30/2015).

According to the Papuan human rights lawyer from the Institute for Research, Study and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH) Manokwari, on Nov. 27, as the legal team received a copy of verdict number: 107/Pid.B/2015/PN.Mnk on behalf of Alexander Dekenem et al.

The letter stated that the defendants were sentenced to prison, each for one year and six months, with their time in custody deducted. Prosecutor Irna Indira Ruth sought two years imprisonment for them.

That ruling, the Warinussy is still waiting for an official copy of the decision of the Registrar Court of Manokwari, in order to learn the basic consideration of the judges who had declared the four defendants were found guilty so that sentenced them.

According to the Secretary of the Regional Parliament, Rafael Natkime, the verdict will never confine their ideology. "Be in Jail is one of the highest sacrifices for fighters," he said.

He said four KNPB activists were detained on May 20, 2015 during a peaceful demonstration in Manokwari with three agendas, first, demanding the state to immediately open access to foreign journalists in Papua, according to a statement the president of Joko Widodo, second was to immediately open the democratic space for the people of West Papua.

And the last was to support the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as representatives of Papuans in Melanesian Spread head Group(MSG). (Mawel Benny/Tina)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/four-knpb-activists-jailed-for-opinions/