JAKARTA: The Indonesian National Army (TNI) issued an official apology and confirmed the arrest of 13 of its soldiers after a video of the torture of a member of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB), Defianus Kogoya, went viral on social media.
The video shows Defianus in a barrel filled with blood-stained water being assaulted with a knife at the Gome Post, Border Security Task Force, Puncak Regency, Central Papua.
Pangdam XVII/Cenderawasih, Major General TNI Izak Pangemanan, said Monday (25 March) that the incident occurred on 3 February 2024.
The perpetrators, including a number of soldiers from the Infantry Battalion (Yonif) Raider 300/Braja Wijaya who were involved in the abuse, are currently being held at the Maximum Security Military Detention Installation at Military Police Military Command (Pomdam) III/Siliwangi.
It is known that Yonif Raider 300/Braja Wijaya is a Pamtas Task Force headquartered in Cianjur, West Java. These troops will be released for operations in Papua in April 2023.
“This action violates the law, defames the military, and disrupts efforts to handle the conflict in Papua,” said Izak.
He also apologized to the Papuan people for the incident, while emphasizing that the TNI would take steps to prevent something similar from happening in the future.
Izak Pangemanan also explained that Defianus Kogoya, who was tortured, was a KKB member who was involved in burning down the community health center in Omukima District, Puncak, Central Papua, along with two other people, Warinus Kogoya, and Alianus Murip
“When we secured (the Puskesmas) they shot at our troops so there was a firefight,” Izak was quoted as saying by Kompas.com.
After the firefight, TNI-Polri officers chased and succeeded in arresting the perpetrators and taking them to the local police station.
However, on the way, Warinus Kogoya jumped from the car and died. Meanwhile, Defianus tried to escape.
“But there were troops closing Gome who arrested him, this is where they (TNI soldiers) carried out the abuse,” said Izak.
Izak said Defianus had undergone treatment at the community health center and was sent home to his family in good condition.
However, human rights group Amnesty International reported that Defianus had died. They demanded accountability from other high-ranking officers and soldiers regarding this incident.
The conflict between the TNI and the KKB in Papua has been a protracted problem since the eastern province joined Indonesia in 1969.
