On 28 November 2025, members of Brimob under Ops Damai Cartenz (Cartenz Peace Operation) arrested 21-year-old student, Mr Iron Heluka (see photo on top, source: independent HRD), in Dekai town, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province (West Papua/Papuan provinces), and subsequently detained him at the Yahukimo Police Station.
The arrest appears linked to allegations of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). Mr Heluka's relatives dispute the allegations, emphasizing that Mr. Heluka is an active student. Following the arrest, the TPNPB Central Headquarters publicly denied that Iron Heluka is a member of TPNPB.
The incident unfolded during the night of 28 November 2025, when Mr Heluka was on his way back home from an evening gathering with friends. At approximately 02:00 am, Mr Heluka and his friends stopped near a food stall and attempted to light a fire to warm themselves. As police patrol officers arrived, two individuals reportedly fled, while Mr Iron Heluka was apprehended and taken to the Yahukimo Police Station. He was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the arrest and interrogated at gunpoint. In a separate police narrative, the Head of Public Relations for Ops Damai Cartenz, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, stated that police responded to a disturbance report, found three people acting suspiciously, and suspected them of burning a vendor's stall.
On 29 November 2025, Iron Heluka's relatives visited the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Polres Yahukimo and were told that his detention was based on an alleged burning incident. The family later reported receiving additional information that police also accused Mr Heluka of being a member of Kodap XVI Yahukimo since May 2025, an allegation the family strongly rejects as false. Police reportedly informed the family that Mr Heluka would be detained until 17 December 2025.
Human rights analysis
While allegations regarding the engagement of Mr Iron Heluka in arson may be proven through a criminal investigation, police officers have failed to provide supporting evidence for the association with a criminal organisation to the relatives. The cumulative allegations (arson allegations alongside claims of armed-group affiliation) and the reported absence of promptly disclosed, verifiable evidence to the family may indicate risks of detention not meeting legal necessity and proportionality standards.
Public assertions describing Mr Iron Heluka as affiliated with an armed group, if made without due process safeguards and substantiated evidence, risk undermining fair trial rights and may expose him and his family to stigmatisation and threats. Reports that officers conducted a forced interrogation while pointing firearms raise concerns about intimidation and potential ill-treatment, requiring independent verification and investigation.
Relatives emphasize that Mr Iron Heluka is a student. Prolonged detention without a clear legal basis and safeguards can interfere with education and may reflect discriminatory patterns frequently reported in the Papuan provinces context.
Detailed case data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298)Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
1. Iron Heluka, male 21 Student criminalisation
Period of incident: 28/11/2025-28/11/2025
Perpetrator: Mobile Brigades (BRIMOB)
Perpetrator details: Damai Cartenz Task Force
Issues: indigenous peoples