PAPUA – Indonesian military apparatus arrested a 23-year-old civilian named Nopi Bagau in the center of Sugapa Town, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua. Based on a report from the humanitarian organization Human Rights Defender (HRD), this incident triggered urges for humanitarian intervention to the United Nations (UN) along with the worsening of the security crisis in the region.
The event began on Friday, May 29, 2026 at around 21.00 WIT when the victim walked toward his house after attending the Sapusa traditional ceremony. A number of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) members who were conducting a sweep in the Sugapa District region immediately secured the youth.
After being arrested, the Indonesian military brought the victim to a military headquarters to undergo an intensive interrogation process. The examination lasted from the night until the early hours of Saturday, May 30, 2026 at around 01.00 WIT.
During the interrogation process, the apparatus grilled the victim to find out whether he was involved as a member of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) or not. "I am not involved and I am a civilian," said Nopi Bagau, Saturday (30/5/2026).
Hearing the confirmation, the Indonesian military finally released the victim from custody. Despite having been released, the victim was reported to experience severe psychological trauma as a result of being pointed at with a firearm by the apparatus when the arrest process took place.
This arbitrary arrest adds to the length of tension in Central Papua, where the escalation of armed conflict continues to impact the local community. The massive sweeping operation around settlements makes the movement space of civilians become very limited and filled with anxiety.
HRD urged the Indonesian military to immediately stop military operations, arbitrary arrests, as well as bomb attacks in Intan Jaya. Military operations are assessed to continue to sacrifice civilian society and damage public facilities, including houses and church buildings.
The condition in Intan Jaya at this time is called to have entered a serious humanitarian crisis phase. The UN is urged to immediately carry out humanitarian intervention to protect civilians in Intan Jaya and the entire Land of Papua. Meanwhile, TPNPB also strongly condemned the repressive actions of the apparatus which are assessed to continue to target innocent civilians. (One Papua)