On 9 January 2026, Indonesian military (TNI) personnel arbitrarily detained six Indigenous Papuans in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua province. At least three of them were subjected to torture during interrogation. All victims are Indigenous Papuans and civilians.
The soldiers accused them of membership in the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The six men were apprehended following drone surveillance and forcibly detained at a military post. TNI personnel reportedly tortured them during interrogation and pressured them to confess to involvement with an armed group. They were released only after massive public pressure from families and traditional leaders, who occupied the Yahukimo Police Station in a peaceful protest.
At 10:10 am, TNI personnel conducted drone surveillance over Jl. Gunung. At 10:20 am, Yon Taipur and Yonif 5/Marines posts on Jl. Jend. Sudirman. Mr Eko Ussu, Mr Alesa Busup, Mr Usan Ossu, Mr Hengki Ossu, Mr Asam Ossu, and Mr Timeks Busop left the house in the Jl Gunung area and travelled towards Dekai town. At approximately 11:45 am, TNI personnel intercepted their vehicle in front of the Yon Taipur and Yonif 5/Marines posts on Jl. Jend. Sudirman. The six Papuans were apprehended, their mobile phones confiscated, and they were taken to the Marine post near Paradiso Dekai Airport.
From late morning until early morning the following day, TNI personnel interrogated the six detainees at the Marine post. Military personnel reportedly tortured and coerced them to admit affiliation with the TPNPB. On 10 January 2026, families, traditional leaders, church representatives, and other tribesmen organised a peaceful protest at the Yahukimo District Police Station, demanding unconditional release (see photos and videos below, source: independent HRD). After sustained public pressure and negotiations involving the police and district authorities, the six detainees were released at 5:50 pm and handed over to their families.
Credible victim testimony and visual evidence indicate that military personnel tortured Mr Timeks Busup, Mr Eko Ussu, and Mr Asam Ossu during detention. Injuries included severe facial swelling, bruising to the forehead and neck, and beatings to the thighs using blunt force (see photos below, source: independent HRD). The abuse occurred during interrogation and was aimed at extracting forced confessions of involvement with the TPNPB.
Human rights analysis
The described detention and torture allegations raise serious concerns under international human rights law and Indonesian domestic law. Military officers conducted the arrests without arrest warrants and without immediate judicial oversight, in violation of the right to liberty and security of a person under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The use of military drone surveillance to justify civilian arrests, combined with coercive interrogations and torture, reflects a pattern of militarised law enforcement incompatible with civilian protection standards in the Papuan provinces. The documented acts of physical abuse violate the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), to which Indonesia is a member State. The targeting of civilians in a conflict-affected area further raises concerns under international humanitarian law, particularly the principle of distinction
Detailed case data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) Yon Taipur and Yonif 5/Marines posts on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Dekai
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 6
1. Eko Ussu, male 20 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
2. Asam Ossu, male 22 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
3. Timeks Busup, male 28 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
4. Hengki Ossu, male 40 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
5. Alesa Busup, male 45 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
6. Usan Ossu, male 26 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 09/01/2026-09/01/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Military (TNI)Perpetrator details: Yonif 5/Marines members
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence