On 15 April 2026, Indonesian military personnel allegedly detained seven indigenous Papuans from Kimurik and Pupet villages without warrant in East Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, while they were travelling to town to buy food. One of the detainees is a female. Military members detained them inside a military post, interrogated and reportedly tortured them. All detainees were released on 16 April 2026, following intervention by local police authorities confirming their civilian status.
According to eyewitness accounts, the seven villagers were en route from their homes to the Beoga Timur district centre when they were stopped mid-journey by military personnel at around 10:25 am. Without presenting legal grounds or arrest warrants, the security forces apprehended the group and detained them at a military post in Beoga Timur District under the suspicion of being affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). During their detention, the victims were interrogated and reportedly subjected to physical violence. Their release reportedly followed objections raised by the local police chief, who confirmed that the individuals were ordinary civilians.
Human rights analysis
The reported treatment of the seven Papuans arrested in East Beoga District on 15 April 2026 raises concerns of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture or other ill-treatment in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). The incident is particularly concerning, given that all detainees reportedly carrying official identity cards and did not bring any suspicious items with them. The broader pattern of arbitrary arrests and detention of minors, and students on unsubstantiated allegations of links to the TPNPB in conflict hotspots across West Papua, suggests a climate of coercion and collective suspicion in which ordinary Papuan civilians are at heightened risk of abuse.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-062-2026
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Puncak, East Beoga
Total number of victims: 7
1. Yuwena Murib, female unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
2. Kulimaju Kulla, male unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
3. Delminus Alom, male unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
4. Tengkelam Murib, male unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
5. Amiton Magai, male unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
6. male unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
7. unknown unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
Period of incident: 15/04/2026-15/04/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia, Indonesian Security Forces, Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children