Yahukimo — Repressive actions against activists have occurred again in the Highland Papua. Joint forces of TNI–POLRI reportedly conducted an arbitrary arrest against the Chairman of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) of Yahukimo Region, Ruben alias Kone Kobak, in Dekai Town, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province.

​This arrest without clear procedures sparked a wave of protests and strong condemnation from various parties who assess that there is a systematic effort to silence the democratic space and create psychological terror among the Papuan people.

​The series of intimidation events began on Tuesday morning, May 19, 2026, when a Marine unit came to the KNPB Yahukimo Regional office at around 09.51 Papuan Time. The arrival of the officers was accompanied by terror and pressure against the occupants of the office as well as KNPB members who were at the location.

​In the incident, the officers unilaterally ordered that the KNPB house or office be vacated immediately, even specifically asking children of primary and secondary school age not to stay in that place anymore with the threat that the officers would return soon in the near future.

​The threat was proven a few hours later, precisely in the afternoon at around 17.32 Papuan Time. The joint forces of TNI–POLRI with full preparedness came to the residential area of residents using four operational vehicle units belonging to the police, Marines, Brimob, and TNI.

​When the group of officers arrived at the residence of Ruben alias Kone Kobak, the victim was inside the house with his younger brother who is a person with a disability. Although the younger brother had realized the arrival of the officers and tried to give a danger signal, the very fast situation made the victim not have time to respond before his brother was forced to save himself towards the forest around the house to avoid the officers.

​Without showing an Arrest Warrant (SPP) nor a detention letter as strictly regulated in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the armed officers immediately rushed into the house.

​The victim was instantly ordered to lie prone, then dragged roughly and put into the vehicle to be taken to the Yahukimo Regional Police Headquarters.

​In addition to conducting the arrest without legal procedures, the officers also carried away a number of belongings, including two units of mobile phones, two units of loudspeakers, and cash amounting to Rp700,000, as well as leaving quite severe physical damage on the house door, kitchen utensils, and other items.

​The condition of Kone Kobak was unknown by the family for hours, which then triggered pressure from the KNPB management along with local residents to the Yahukimo Police Chief so that the victim would be released immediately.

​After being detained for approximately one day since Tuesday afternoon, the victim was finally released from the Yahukimo Police detention room on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at around 14.30 Papuan Time.

​The police through the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Yahukimo Police argued that the arrest was made because the officers found a kitchen knife and an axe when searching the house they suspected as the residence of the TPNPB.

​The unilateral accusation from the police was strongly denied by Kone Kobak who emphasized that the location of the arrest was the residence belonging to residents and was not at all a TPNPB headquarters.

​He also revealed that during the interrogation process in the investigation room of the Yahukimo Police Criminal Investigation Unit, he experienced mental pressure, intimidation, to physical violence in the form of beating aimed at forcing him to sign a statement letter to stop being involved in West Papua Independence struggle activities as well as civil activities.

​"I was arrested while being inside the house, before the officers entered and ordered me to raise my hands. This house is a civilian house, not a TPNPB headquarters as accused," emphasized Ruben alias Kone Kobak.

​Responding to this incident, the Regional Executive Board of KNPB Yahukimo, represented by Jhon Suhun, issued a firm statement and assessed the action as a real form of criminalization aimed at creating fear among the Papuan people through a pattern of arbitrary arrests without clear legal proof.

​KNPB also urged the TNI–POLRI forces to immediately stop all forms of criminalization, intimidation, terror, as well as violence against activists and society in Yahukimo, and demanded law enforcement officials to fully respect formal legal procedures applicable in every search or detention action.

​Meanwhile, representatives of human rights defenders appealed to all non-governmental organizations, church institutions, advocates, mass media, and the international community to tighten monitoring and advocacy against human rights violations that continue to recur in Papua.

​They emphasized that the state has an absolute obligation to guarantee the protection of civil rights entirely and provide a safe space for freedom of expression for all Papuan people without being overshadowed by the threat of violence or illegal arrests. ***