On 16 January 2026, Mr Kataw Kulua, 27, Mr Yaikunus Murib, 26, and Mr Lois Murib, 29, were arbitrarily arrested by personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) near the BNPB Logistics Warehouse, Agandugume District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.
The three men were unarmed, not in possession of firearms, ammunition, or any illegal items, yet were accused by the military of being members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). As of 18 January 2026, they remain under military custody without access to judicial oversight.
According to information documented by a local human rights defender, the three indigenous Papuans were detained during a military patrol at approximately 10:30 am while they were heading home after buying things at a store. Following their arrest, they were taken to the Rajawali II Military Post and subsequently to the Yonif 142/KJ Post for questioning.
The military personnel reportedly failed to provide an arrest warrant or an explanation of legal grounds. Following the interrogation, the three detainees were not handed over to the police as required under Indonesian law. Despite the absence of evidence linking Mr Kataw Kulua, Mr Yaikunus Murib, and Mr Lois Murib to armed activity, the military personnel kept them in detention until 19 January 2026. They were released around 10:00 am after being pressured to sign a document in which they pledged allegiance to the Indonesian State. The victims allege that military members beat them during interrogation.
Human rights and legal analysis
The arrest and continued military detention of the three Papuan men constitute arbitrary arrest and detention, in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to liberty and security of person and prohibits deprivation of liberty without lawful grounds and due process.
The TNI has no mandate to conduct law enforcement functions against civilians, including arrest, interrogation, or detention. Under Indonesian law, such powers rest exclusively with the Indonesian National Police (Polri). The continued military detention of the victims without charge, judicial review, or access to legal counsel further violates Article 28D(1) of the Indonesian Constitution and Articles 17 and 18 of the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
The presumption of guilt based solely on alleged affiliation with an armed group, without evidence, reflects a pattern of collective punishment and criminalisation of indigenous Papuan civilians in the Papuan provinces. Unlawful military detention without civilian oversight exposes the detainees to a risk of being subjected to torture and enforced disappearance.
Detailed case data
Location: Agandugume, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, Indonesia (-3.9025963, 137.9185611)Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Puncak, Agandugume
Total number of victims: 3
1. Kataw Kulua, male 27 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
2. Yaikunus Murib, male 26 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
3. Lois Murib, male 29 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 16/01/2026-16/01/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Army (TNI-AD)
Perpetrator details: Yonif 142/KJ members
Issues: indigenous peoples