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W.Papuan Tortured to Death by Soldier
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
sent by Tim Murphy (activ-l)
Cenderawasih Pos - Nov 2, 2007
http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/utm.php
WEST PAPUAN TORTURED TO DEATH BY INDONESIAN SOLDIER IN LEREH
(JAYAPURA-WEST PAPUA)
Translation from Cenderawasih Pos Newspaper
Last night family members of Rudi Pagawak (23 years old) were at the
Indonesian regional military headquarters. They were there to question
the death of Rudi. Rudi who worked for PT Sinar Mas Plantation company,
was tortured to death by an Indonesian soldier named sergeant SK from
the Indonesian regional headquarters 172/PWY (Jayapura).
The torture took place in front of the Indonesian military post in
Lereh, Jayapura regency on Thursday, 1/11/2007 at around 18.00. Rudi
died 3 hours after getting medical treatment at Sinar Mas health
clinic. According to eye witness, Beni Kenila, the incident happened
when Rudi Pagawak (victim) and his friend, Jepo (both of them are staff
or PT Sinar Mas Plantation company) wanted to make phone call to their
families from Wartel Koperasi Sinar Mas (a telecommunication service
point) at Eko 6 location.
However, Rudi could not make any phone calls because there weren't any
phone pulse credits available at the telecommunication service point.
Finally, Rudi and his friend looked for another telecommunication
service point, Wartel Ridom which was also located within the
plantation company area. "When Rudi walked passed the military post, he
didn't ask permission to the military post commander. Also when he
walked passed the military post, he turned twice to look at the
military post commander. Because of suspicion, the military post
commander called him", said Beni to Cenderawasih Post at the Indonesian
regional headquarter last night.
Beni, who works as security guard for Sinar Mas Plantation company, said
that when Rudi came, the Indonesian soldier slapped his face. Rudi
could not accept this action so he opposed that. Then, the Indonesian
soldier took Rudi to a water tank beside the military post and dunked
him inside the water tank.
According to Beni, Rudi has lost conciosness after being dunked inside
the water tank. Then, Rudi (the victim) was taken to Sinar Mas health
clinic. However, at the time Rudi was unconscious. After a few medical
checks by the clinic nurse, Rudi passed away at 22.00.
Yuri Weya, a security guard for Sinar Mas Plantation company, was also
an eyewitness. He is also a relative of Rudi Pagawak. Yuri said that the
incident began at 5pm on Thursday, 1/11/2007 when Rudi and one his
friends were on their way to make phone calls at the telecommunication
service point. "The telecommunication service point is near the
military post", he said. When they walked past the military post, Rudi
and his friend didn't greet the military pos commander. "Perhaps, the
military commander was offended so he called them. When Rudi and his
friend arrived at the post, the military commander immediately tortured
them without questioning or saying anything to them", said Yuri.
Rudi was slapped 3 times on his right ear. Afterwards they were
tortured. Rudi and his friend were dunked for 15 minutes inside a pond
which is located beside the military post. At that time, Rudi was in
pain and told the soldier (who dunked them) that he couldn't bear
anymore.
"The information that I was able to get from Rudi was that he was
tortured by the military post commander named sergeant SK, and he was
dunked inside the pond that cause him pain." "Then, he was taken to
the health clinic", said Yuri at Papua provincial hospital morgue in
Dok II Jayapura.
The families and relatives of Rudi Pagawak could not accept his death
so yesterday (Friday, 2/11/) they took Rudi Pagawak's body to the
Indonesian regional military headquarter 172/PWY in Padang Bulan
Abepura to demand the responsibility of the person who caused his
death. Later, they took Rudi's body to the provincial hospital in Dok
II Jayapura for an autopsy. Until last night many of Rudi's families,
relatives and friends were still at the military headquarter.
"We as heads of Dani tribe in Lereh, demand that the person who has
killed one of our people must be brought to court. We demand that he
should lose his position as a military soldier. This wasn't he first
time he committed violence to people, he did it very often. One of the
family members said "During his appointment at Lereh, he had many
similar cases". Using the op****tunity at the regional military
headquarters, he demanded that not only the person who killed Rudi's
should be fired but also he demanded that the regional military
commander withdrew all the military personnel who are stationed in
Lereh. "The presence of military in that location has made life very
difficult for the local people", he said.
Colonel Kav Burha****din Siagian *, regional commander of 172/PWY when
questioned on the incident admitted the incident. To follow up the
case, the soldier has been arrested and is being held at the military
police post POMDAM XVII/Trikora waiting for legal process. The regional
commander said, "Clearly we will not cover or protect any members that
commit crime/falsehood. Certainly, the soldier has been arrested and
has been sent to the military police for further legal process". The
commander further added that in relation to this incident his
organisation is still in the process of gathering and collecting
information including information from the soldier. In his answer, the
soldier had admitted the crime. However, whatever he [the soldier] has
said, he is wrong so he will get punished.
According to the military commander, what was committed by the soldier
was already over acting and was over the limit. His organisation never
taught any soldier to act like that. In fact, TNI members should obey 8
TNI obligations when they interact with the people.
When questioned about the demands of the people who came to the regional
headquarters, the commander said that he respected their aspiration
because they were polite, well organised, gentle and were very kind.
However, after giving explanation to them, they could understand very
well and knew what problems they were facing. (cak/mud).
Izak/mnur/Cenderawasih Pos.
FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN (UK) Note:
Col. Burha****din Siagian, who commands the TNI's 172 Military District
based in Jayapura, has been indicted for Crimes Against Humanity in
East Timor. So far he has never faced prosecution.
*
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