The Jakarta Post.com
National News
November 15, 2000
Papua council leaders to go on trial soon

JAKARTA (JP): Papua Presidium Council (PDP) chief Theys Hiyo Eluay and six other PDP leaders will soon be tried for alleged separatist activities, Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. Sylvanus Yulian Wenas said on Tuesday.

"We will continue the legal process against these people. Theys' dossier has been submitted to the district court. We're just awaiting for a hearing schedule," Wenas said in Jayapura after leading the commemoration of the 55th Anniversary of the National Police Mobile Brigade.

Law professor Loebby Loqman of the University of Indonesia is expected to be an expert witness at the trial, which could take place in Jayapura between December and January, he said.

"It's up to the court to decide the schedule since December is full with the Christmas and Idul Fitri celebrations.

"The security forces, however, are ready to secure the trial," Wenas said.

Besides Theys, the other PDP members being charged are Thaha Al Hamid, Agus Alua, Herman Awom, Don A.L. Flassy, John Mambor and Mrs. Beatriks Koibur.

The chief of the Irian Jaya Police's operational and control command, Sr. Supt. Kusnadi, said Theys was being charged under Article 106 of the Criminal Code on crimes against the state. The article carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

"He is also being charged under other articles related to separatist activities, for such actions as hoisting the Morning Star separatist flag.

"We also have sufficient evidence of his (Theys) involvement in the second Papuan Congress (from May 29 to June 3), which vowed to declare Irian Jaya's independence on Dec. 1 this year," the officer said.

In an attempt to maintain order and uphold the law ahead of the planned commemoration of Papua Independence on Dec. 1, the police launched a three-month operation to quell separatist activities.
The Tuntas Operation began on Nov. 10 and will continue until February next year, he said.

"We will use all approaches in stages, starting from persuasive measures moving to repressive measures," Kusnadi said, adding that there was the possibility special operations would be staged to disperse separatist camps.

"I believe people are tired of violence. Therefore, we really hope that the problems can be resolved without bloodshed."

He also said the situation in Abepura market in Jayapura, which saw clashes between South Sulawesi migrants from Bugis and Makassar and locals on Monday, had returned to normal on Tuesday.

"Only three people were injured in the incident, not 16 as the local media reported. However, we do not tolerate such brawls as it can lead to larger unrest," Kusnadi said, adding that disputes between migrants and locals had become common in the area.

"The migrants are usually vendors who work hard to earn their money, while some locals tend to extort money from them. In the Abepura case, the migrants fought back," he explained. (edt)