Hengky Yeimo, Jayapura – Rights defender and lawyer Yan Christian Warinussy, the director of the Institute for Research, Assessment, and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH) Manokwari, has urged the commander of XVIII/Kasuari Military Command to release Maikel Yaam (17) and Simon Waymbewer (26) who were detained by soldiers of the Battalion 726/VYS and Kodim 1809 Maybrat in Kisor Village, South Aifat District, Maybrat Regency on Thursday, September 2, 2021.
Yaam and Waymbewer were accused of being part of the group that attacked the Kisor Military Post on September 2, which resulted in the killing of Kisor Military Post commander First Lt. CHB Dirman and three of his members. Two other soldiers were injured in the incident.
Warinussy defended the two, saying they were innocent civilians. "We have received information from our sources in the South Aifat District that these young people are not part of the armed group led by Mamfred Fatem as reported by the media," he told Jubi.
Besides Warinussy, West Papua National Committee (KNPB) head of Maybrat Area Yohanes Assem also demanded the release of Yaam and Waymbewer. Assem asked West Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tornagogo Sihombing to free the two, adding that they were not members of the KNPB.
"Simon Waymbewer is a member of the Public Order Agency while Maikel Yaam is a civilian. Please immediately release them," Assem said.
Warinussy said the XVIII/Kasuari commander must involve police investigators, both from the West Papua Police and Maybrat Police, to find out the perpetrators of the attack on the Kisor Military Post. "As mandated in Law No. 8/1981 on the Criminal Procedure Code," he said.
He also asserted the importance of involving church leaders and traditional leaders of the local community to investigate the case.
Warinussy added that above all, the military and police must prioritize the safety and security of the people of Kisor. "We strongly urge the protection of the indigenous people in Kisor Village, who have fled their hometowns and entered the forest area [due to recent attack]," he said.
Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/military-detained-two-civilians-accused-of-attacking-military-post-in-maybrat