On the night of 3 September 2025, in the alley behind the Sagita Store in Entrop, Jayapura City, Papua Province, a shooting incident occurred involving Private (Pratu) Terian Barusa, 25, a member of the Military Police of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, and a civilian identified as Mr Obed Manaku.
The altercation began over a dispute concerning illegal parking fees, which escalated into stone-throwing and culminated in the soldier firing his weapon. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the back and died as a result of the injury. The perpetrator was arrested on 4 September and is currently detained by the Military Police at XVII/Cenderawasih headquarters.
According to reports, the confrontation began when Mr Obed Manaku, who worked informally as a parking attendant in the Entrop area, demanded a fee from Private Barusa. The soldier refused, leading to an argument. Witnesses report that the Mr Manaku attempted to punch the soldier and later threw stones at his vehicle. In response, Private Barusa pursued Mr Manaku into an alley and discharged his firearm, fatally wounding him. The soldier initially attempted to flee towards Muara Tami but was soon apprehended by the authorities. On 6 September 2025, Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih confirmed that the perpetrator had been named a suspect and charged under Article 338 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (murder) in conjunction with Article 80 of the Law on Child Protection, with a possible penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.
Human rights analysis
This incident illustrates the unlawful use of lethal force by military personnel in a civilian context. The Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials stipulate that firearms may only be used in self-defence or defence of others against imminent threat of death or serious injury, and even then only as a last resort. In this case, the use of live ammunition in response to stone-throwing constituted a grossly disproportionate and excessive use of force, violating the victim's right to life as guaranteed under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party. The fact that the soldier was acting outside of official duty, and allegedly misusing an organic weapon highlights systemic weaknesses in discipline, oversight, and accountability within the Indonesian military.
Demands and recommendations
Human Rights Monitor calls for a transparent, independent, and impartial investigation into the killing, ensuring accountability beyond military justice mechanisms. The trial of Private Barusa must be open to public scrutiny, with guarantees of due process. Furthermore, systemic measures are required to prevent recurrence: strict regulation of soldiers' off-duty conduct, removal of firearms from contexts not related to official duties, and stronger civilian oversight of military justice in cases involving civilian victims. The Indonesian government should reaffirm its adherence to international human rights standards, particularly the right to life and the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of life. The state must provide reparations to the victim's family.