Andita Rahma, Jakarta – The Nemangkawi task force – a joint military and police force under a specific task in Papua – announced the arrest of Manuel Metemko on Thursday. The security forces claim the aforementioned individual is responsible for spreading false information, hoaxes, provocations, and hatred messages in Papua.

"The person is the head of the National Committee of West Papua (KNPB) Merauke who was arrested at his home in Merauke, Papua," said Nemangkawi task force spokesperson Iqbal Al Qudsy in a written statement on June 10.

According to the spokesperson, investigators have taken Manuel to the Merauke Police Headquarters for further questioning and digital forensic investigations.

He reminds the public to avert from spreading false information through hateful public information "that can lead to hostility in Papua. The people there want to live in peace," said Iqbal.

Manuel Metemko is currently facing charges for spreading an image corresponding with a caption that is not factual regarding the burning of the Ilaga Airport.

The caption for this photo that Indonesian authorities are highly against also stated that "the special autonomy [in Papua] has totally failed, the people reject it and demand a referendum. Thousands of soldiers were mobilized with casualties everywhere, religious leaders terrorized by unidentified people, and rumors of terrorists have grown in Papua. The question is: Who is the real breeder of humanitarian crimes and terrorists in Indonesia and Papua?"

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1470936/papua-task-force-nab-knpb-leader-over-allegations-of-inciting-hatre