SUGAPA – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) reported an arbitrary arrest by the Indonesian military against a civilian named Paskalis Pogau in the center of Sugapa Town, Intan Jaya Regency, on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

​The arrest, which occurred at around 11:30 noon, was based on a unilateral accusation that the victim is an armed member. TPNPB emphasized that Paskalis Pogau is a pure civilian who daily works as a motorcycle taxi driver in the urban area and has no connection with the structure of Regional Defense Command (Kodap) VIII Intan Jaya.

​After being arrested, the victim was immediately brought and detained at the Indonesian military headquarters in Sugapa Town. This incident extends the tension in the armed conflict area, where civilians often become targets of accusations without legal procedures that are valid.

​Previously, a similar event befell five civilians in Wabui Village, Hitadipa District, who were arrested in their hometown since March 30, 2026. Security forces brought the five citizens to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Post 712 of Wabui Village on the same accusation.

​In the interrogation process, the Indonesian military did not find evidence of the victims' involvement with TPNPB. Three citizens were released in the afternoon toward night, while two other people were detained until March 31, 2026.

​During the detention at the military post, all victims experienced intimidation and were forced to open their clothes. Two citizens who were detained until the next day were even left without shirts to endure the cold weather for one full day in the military headquarters.

​Responding to this incident, the Management of the National Command Central Headquarters (KOMNAS) TPNPB demands the Indonesian military to stop illegal arrest operations against civilians. This practice is said to spread to other conflict areas such as Yahukimo Regency and Puncak Regency.

​"If the Indonesian military wants to arrest TPNPB troops, please arrest those who hold weapons, do not carry out arbitrary arrests without procedures and then accuse civilians of being TPNPB members, this is a violation of the law and human rights so the state must be responsible and apologize to all civilian victims who were arrested, tortured, and interrogated arbitrarily," said Sebby Sambom as the Spokesperson of TPNPB Free Papua Organization (OPM), Thursday (25/6/2026).

​In addition, TPNPB issued a firm appeal to all Indonesian immigrant citizens to immediately leave the armed conflict areas which become the resistance operation zones. This area emptying step is requested to be done immediately before military attacks are launched to avoid the falling of non-Papuan civilian victims.

​(One Papua)