Between 29 June and 1 July 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) allegedly tortured 19-year-old Papuan civilian, Mr Okto Tigau, during detention and subsequently executed him in the Mamba Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. According to media sources and independent local sources, Mr Tigau was arbitrarily detained after being intercepted by military personnel whilst travelling to the local Population and Civil Registration Office to process his identity documents. His body was discovered on 1 July 2026 behind a military post with multiple gunshot wounds and extensive injuries reportedly consistent with torture. The allegations have not yet been investigated, and no official statements have been released by the TNI in response to the incident.
According to information from the victim's family and witnesses, Mr Okto Tigau had travelled to Mamba Village to attend the funeral of a relative before intending to visit the Population and Civil Registration Office (Dukcapil) to process his identity card and other civil registration documents. On 29 June 2026, he reportedly travelled by motorcycle taxi towards the government office complex. Whilst passing the area between the government offices and the Maleo military post, Mr Tigau and the motorcycle taxi driver were allegedly stopped by TNI personnel. Both men were reportedly taken to a military post for questioning.
The driver was later released and informed the victim's family that Mr Tigau remained in military custody. After receiving no further information regarding his whereabouts, relatives and local residents initiated a search. On 1 July 2026, his body was found behind the Rajawali Habema military post in Mamba Village. Family members alleged that he had been tortured before being killed. According to reports, the body displayed multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and neck, stab wounds to the head, injuries to the face, and other severe wounds, including the partial removal of both ears (see photos below, source: independent HRDs). These allegations require an independent forensic investigation to establish the precise cause and circumstances of death.
The discovery of Mr Tigau's body prompted strong reactions from local authorities, community representatives and national officials. The Regent of Intan Jaya, Mr Aner Maisini, expressed deep concern over the incident and called on the President, the Minister of Defence and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces to review the deployment of non-organic military units in Intan Jaya. He stressed that even where security forces suspect an individual of links to an armed group, Indonesian law requires due process and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life.
Indonesia's Minister for Human Rights, Mr Natalius Pigai, likewise urged the TNI Commander and the Chief of the Indonesian National Police to exercise greater control over personnel deployed in West Papua and emphasised that the protection of civilians must remain the highest priority. Representatives of the Central Papua Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) also called for an independent investigation and raised concerns about the continuing escalation of violence and its impact on civilians in Intan Jaya. At the time of writing, no official statement from the TNI addressing the allegations surrounding Tigau's death had been reported.
Human rights analysis
If an investigation confirms the allegations, the arbitrary detention, torture and killing of Mr Okto Tigau would constitute serious violations of the right to life, the prohibition of torture and the right to liberty and security of person under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including Articles 6, 7 and 9. Indonesia would also have an obligation to conduct a prompt, effective, independent and impartial investigation in accordance with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016). The allegations further engage Indonesia's obligations under the Convention against Torture (CAT), Articles 2, 12 and 13, as well as Articles 28A and 28I of the 1945 Constitution and Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights.
Human Rights Monitor calls on the Indonesian authorities to secure and preserve all evidence, conduct an independent forensic examination, ensure witness protection, establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Tigau's detention and death, and hold all those responsible accountable through fair and transparent judicial proceedings.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-095-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Sugapa
Total number of victims: 1
1. Okto Tigau, male 19 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, execution, right to life, torture
Period of incident: 29/06/2026-01/07/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Perpetrator details: Members of the Rajawali Maleo TNI Post in Mamba Village
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence