Jayapura, Jubi – Foreign journalists seeking to report on events in Papua continue to face significant restrictions, with authorities detaining a Russian national after he was allegedly found recording a demonstration in Wamena.

Six Japanese journalists from Kyodo News were previously detained in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Highlands Province, while producing a documentary about the Mamuna and Korowai communities in southeastern Papua.

The journalists were subsequently required to leave Wamena and return to Japan.

In another case, Polish national Jakub Fabian Skrzypski was arrested in Wamena on August 28, 2018. He was charged under Article 106 of Indonesia's Criminal Code, which concerns treason, and was sentenced to five years in prison by the Wamena District Court on May 2, 2019.

Skrzypski's lawyer, Latifah Anum Siregar, rejected the allegations, saying her client was simply a tourist travelling privately. She subsequently appealed the court's decision.

Skrzypski ultimately served his sentence in Jayapura, Papua Province.

The latest case involves a 39-year-old Russian national, identified by the initials AP, who was detained after allegedly recording a demonstration organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Wamena on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Indonesian immigration authorities said the activity was inconsistent with the purpose of the tourist visa he was travelling on.

According to Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said authorities would not ignore activities by foreign nationals that could breach immigration rules or disrupt public order.

"Indonesia is open to international tourists, but there are rules that must be respected. When someone enters the country as a tourist, their activities must be consistent with the permit they have been granted," Mr Marantoko said.

"If there are indications of misuse of a residence permit or activities that could threaten security and public order, Immigration will take action," he said.

Immigration records show AP entered Indonesia through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on July 3, 2026, using a visitor visa valid until August 31.

Further investigations found that this was not AP's first trip to Papua. Immigration records indicate he had visited the region about 10 times, with the frequency of his visits increasing between 2024 and 2026.

AP told officers he was interested in Papua's natural environment and culture and had developed several local contacts during previous visits.

During his latest trip, he said he initially intended to travel to several areas of Papua, including the Korowai region and Wamena.

However, authorities became interested after AP admitted he was in Wamena on August 15 to take photographs and record video of a KNPB demonstration.

He reportedly planned to use the footage as content for his social media accounts, including Instagram and YouTube.

His presence at the demonstration also appeared in social media posts promoting a narrative of international attention towards the protest in Wamena.

Immigration officers said they also found files on AP's electronic devices containing an offer for a photo and video production contract addressed to him. AP acknowledged he was aware of the offer.

Authorities are now investigating AP's activities, including his travel history, the people he met, places he visited and the documentary material and digital content he produced and published.

"We are working on the basis of facts and evidence. We are reconstructing all of his activities and comparing them with the residence permit he holds," Mr Marantoko said.

"The principle is clear: foreigners are welcome to come to Indonesia, but they must comply with Indonesian law."

Immigration authorities are investigating possible violations of Article 122(a) of Indonesia's Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011. The provision covers the misuse of residence permits or activities that are inconsistent with the purpose of a person's entry into Indonesia.

AP is currently being held in an immigration detention facility while authorities conduct further investigations.

Officials said they were continuing to gather evidence and coordinate with other government agencies before deciding on further legal or immigration action.

"Immigration is the country's gateway. We welcome foreigners who come with good intentions and comply with the rules, but we must also ensure that residence permits are not used for activities that harm Indonesia's interests," Mr Marantoko said.

Russia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, said the Russian embassy was leaving the legal process concerning the detention of its citizen to Indonesian authorities.

Speaking at a media briefing in Jakarta, Mr Tolchenov confirmed the embassy was aware of the incident and was seeking clarification about the circumstances surrounding the detention.

"As I understand it, he is simply a travel blogger. So, he is a tourist visiting Indonesia, including Papua. By coincidence, he saw an event taking place in Papua and tried to record it, which then resulted in his detention," Mr Tolchenov said, according to Indonesia's Antara news agency.

He said the man was not a journalist and did not have authorisation from local authorities to undertake journalistic activities or professional filming.

"Therefore, there is a strong possibility that our citizen has violated the regulations in force in Indonesia," he said.

Mr Tolchenov said the embassy would leave it to Indonesian immigration authorities to determine what action should be taken, including whether his visa should be cancelled or whether he should be deported.

"We will leave it to the Indonesian authorities to inform us about the reasons and evidence they have regarding the man's detention and what decision they will make," he said.

The Russian embassy would nevertheless continue coordinating with Indonesian authorities to ensure the man's rights were protected.

"Of course, we will monitor his situation, where he is being detained, his health and so on. We will try to protect him within the capacity available to us," Mr Tolchenov said.

He also urged Russian nationals in Indonesia to comply with local laws, particularly rules governing the purpose of their visit and the visa they hold.

Foreign journalists seeking to report from Papua must undergo coordination with several Indonesian government and security agencies, with authorities maintaining close oversight of foreign media operating in the region.

One of the mechanisms is known as the Clearing House, an inter-agency approval process involving institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, the police and the State Intelligence Agency.

Critics have argued that the process can delay or restrict journalists' ability to report freely from Papua.

Foreign journalists have also faced administrative and visa-related difficulties, including questions over whether they are using tourist visas rather than specific visas or permits for journalistic work.

In February 2018, British BBC journalist Rebecca Henschke was expelled from Asmat Regency, Papua, following a social media post about the government's response to an outbreak in the region.

The six Japanese journalists working on a documentary in Wamena also faced detention and were subsequently required to leave the area.

The Indonesian government has previously denied that Papua is closed to foreign journalists.

Retno Marsudi, who served as Indonesia's foreign minister under President Joko Widodo, said the government had never prohibited foreign journalists from reporting in Papua.

She cited government figures on applications for permission to report in the region.

In 2012, Ms Marsudi said the Foreign Ministry received 11 applications from foreign media organisations seeking permission to report in Papua. Five applications were approved, while six were rejected.

Source: https://en.jubi.id/foreign-journalists-face-hurdles-reporting-in-papua-as-russian-tourist-detained