On 28 March 2026, undercover police officers allegedly detained Mr Kenias Payage, 25, Mr Atera Payage, 20, and Mr Nerry Heluka, 21, without showing a warrant. The three papuan men were intercepted at the Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, where they wanted to board a Trigana Air flight from Jayapura to Wamena. According to the information received, no arrest warrant or detention order was shown at the time of arrest. Two of the victims were later released, while Mr Nerry Heluka remained in detention at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters. Police investigators reportedly accuse him of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and denied access to legal representation.
According to the information received, the three men arrived at Sentani Airport and had just stepped out of a taxi near the airport entrance when they were intercepted by a group of men in plain clothes believed to be police intelligence personnel. The officers reportedly arrived in three minivans (two black Toyota Avanza and one white Avanza). Without providing any explanation or presenting legal documentation, the officers allegedly forced the three men into the vehicles. Officers reportedly punched the suspects on the head and body during apprehension. They were then taken to KP3 Sentani Airport police station, where they were interrogated for approximately ten minutes.
Following the initial questioning, the suspects were separated. Mr Kenias Payage, a student at STT Water Post Jayapura (source: independent HRD), was reportedly taken to Sentani City Police Station, placed in a room, and questioned about an unspecified allegation. After approximately ten minutes of questioning, he was released without explanation. Mr Atera Payage was released after officers reportedly failed to find any evidence linking him to a criminal offence He was allowed to continue his journey to Wamena. Mr Nerry Heluka was allegedly subjected to intimidation and coercive questioning, during which he was accused and pressured to confess to being part of the TPNPB. He was subsequently transferred to the Papua Regional Police Headquarters (Polda Papua) in Jayapura, where he remains in custody without access to legal counsel.
Human rights analysis
The reported incident raises serious concerns under both Indonesian law and international human rights law. An arrest carried out without informing the person of the reasons for arrest, without presenting a warrant where required, and without ensuring prompt access to legal assistance raises strong indications of arbitrary deprivation of liberty. The alleged use of beatings during the apprehension and allegations of coercion during interrogation further suggests violations of the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The continued detention of Mr Nerry Heluka, in the absence of transparent legal process and access to counsel, heightens concerns regarding due process guarantees and the risk of further ill-treatment.
The case also reflects a broader pattern of security-based profiling of Papuan youths and students, particularly in contexts where allegations of affiliation with armed groups are invoked without publicly disclosed evidence. Even where the authorities claim security grounds, such actions must still comply with the requirements of necessity, legality, proportionality, and judicial oversight. The release of Mr Kenias Payage and Mr Atera Payage without clear explanation after short questioning further raises concern that the initial apprehension of all three men lacked a sufficient legal basis from the outset.
In light of these allegations, the authorities should immediately disclose the legal basis for Mr Nerry Heluka's detention, ensure his prompt access to a lawyer and family, and release him unconditionally unless there is credible and lawfully obtained evidence of a recognisable criminal offence. The alleged assault and coercive interrogation of all three victims should be investigated promptly, impartially, and independently. Accountability measures should extend to all officers involved, including those who ordered, facilitated, or tolerated unlawful arrest, ill-treatment, or denial of legal safeguards.
Detailed case data
Location: Jl. PLN, Sentani Kota, Kec. Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua 99359, Indonesia (-2.577264, 140.5181249) Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 3
1. Kenias Payage, male 25 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
2. Nerry Heluka, male 21 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary arrest, intimidation, torture
3. Atera Payage, male 20 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
Period of incident: 28/03/2026-28/03/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence