On 3 September 2025, an indigenous Papuan named Vicktor Bernadus Deyal, 29, was arbitrarily arrested by police officers in front of the police station (Polsek) on Paradiso Road in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. Initially suspected of being intoxicated, Mr Deyal was reportedly arrested and tortured inside a police truck for about three hours. Later that evening, around 6:00 pm, the police informed the relatives that Mr Deyal had passed away.
On 3 September 2025, at around 3:00 pm, officers of the Dekai Police Station in Yahukimo reportedly stopped Mr Deyal in front of the police station on Jln. Paradiso. According to witnesses he had shouted 'Free West Papua' to the police officers. According the relatives, Mr Deyalk acted under the influence of alcohol. As Viktor resisted the arrest, police officers reportedly restrained and beat him before dragging him onto a police patrol vehicle. Mr Deyal's physical condition deteriorated as the acts of torture progressed.
At around 6:00 pm, relatives received a call from the Yahukimo Police, instructing them to come to the Yahukimo Regional General Hospital. Upon arrival, they were informed that Mr Deyal had passed away (see video below, source: independent HRD). The body bore signs of torture, including severe bruising.
The killing of sparked widespread outrage across Yahukimo Regency. On 4 September 2025, hundreds of residents, tribal leaders, and relatives brought Viktor's body to the courtyard of the Yahukimo Police Station, demanding accountability (see video below, source: independent HRD). The protesters condemned the repeated pattern of killings by police in Yahukimo, citing previous cases such as the August 2024 killing of Tobias Silak.
The victim's family and community representatives demanded the dismissal of the Yahukimo Police Chief, the removal and prosecution of all officers involved in Mr Deyal's death in a civilian court, and guarantees that such abuses will not recur.
In response to the public protest, Yahukimo Police Chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Zet Saalino stated that the officers suspected of involvement had been suspended and placed under investigation. He urged the public to remain calm and assured them that internal mechanisms would address the case. On 5 September 2025, the Papua Regional Police deployed an Internal Affairs (Propam) investigation team.