On 16 July 2026, personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) arbitrarily arrested four indigenous civilians during a military operation in the area of Jalai Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. The victims were identified as Mr Yonas Nambagani, Mr Simon Kopeau, Mr Yoseph Pogau and Mr Agustinus Nabelau. The four men were reportedly taken to the TNI military post in Jalai Village, where TNI personnel allegedly subjected them to severe beatings and other forms of ill-treatment. All were released on 17 July 2026 following protests by residents.
According to information received from local residents, the four men had entered a forested area on 16 July 2026 to gather materials required for traditional rituals and community prayers. Reports indicate that they originated from Abundoga Village or the surrounding area and were detained during an ongoing military operation near Jalai Village at approximately midday. Soldiers reportedly accused or suspected the men of being affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), although no evidence supporting such an allegation has been made public.
Following apprehension, the four indigenous men were taken to the Jalai military outpost, operated by personnel of the 744th Special Raider Infantry Battalion/Satya Yudha Bhakti (Yonif RK 744/SYP). According to local sources, soldiers assaulted the men whilst they were in custody. Initial reports stated that their whereabouts were unknown and that villagers searching for them had been unable to obtain information from the military post.
Residents of Abundoga Village and surrounding communities later gathered outside the military post and demanded the men's release. All four detainees were reportedly released on 17 July 2026.
Photos shortly taken after the release show visible injuries to their faces and bodies upon returning to the community, including pronounced swellings and injuries, particularly around their cheeks and faces (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). The images are consistent with the allegations of torture during detention.
Responses from civil society and authorities
On 18 July 2026, Marko Okto Pekei, Chair of the Meepago VII Regional Customary Council, condemned the reported violence and called on security forces to abandon repressive methods in civilian settlements. The customary council urged military and police personnel to verify identities, communicate with residents and uphold the presumption of innocence before taking coercive measures. It warned that repeated violence against civilians was deepening collective trauma, increasing fear and contributing to displacement in Intan Jaya Regency.
During a press conference on 20 July 2026, Frits Ramandey, Head of the Papua Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), reportedly expressed concern over recurring allegations of wrongful arrests during security operations in Intan Jaya Regency. He called on the Joint Regional Defence Command III (Kogabwilhan III) to improve coordination with the Indonesian National Police and the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, particularly regarding identity verification and information about individuals suspected of involvement with armed groups.
As of 20 July 2026, the TNI, the Indonesian National Police, the Papua Tengah provincial government and the Intan Jaya regency government had reportedly issued no substantive public response addressing the arrest, detention or alleged torture of the four victims. On 18 June 2026, TNI members reportedly handed over rice and instant noodles to the four as a compensational payment to settle the case outside of the law (see photo below, source: independent HRD).
Human rights and legal analysis
If substantiated, the deprivation of liberty without disclosed legal grounds, followed by physical abuse in military custody, would constitute arbitrary detention and a serious violation of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects every person against arbitrary arrest or detention and requires that detained persons be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest. Articles 7 and 10 require that no person be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and that all persons deprived of their liberty be treated humanely and with respect for their inherent dignity.
The prohibition of torture applies irrespective of whether a person is a civilian, a criminal suspect or an alleged member of an armed group. Under Article 2 of the Convention against Torture (CAT), armed conflict, public emergency, superior orders or security considerations may not be invoked to justify torture. Articles 12 and 13 require the authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation wherever there are reasonable grounds to believe that torture has occurred, whilst Article 14 requires access to redress and adequate compensation.
Indonesia's Constitution similarly guarantees freedom from torture and degrading treatment under Article 28G(2), while Article 28I(1) recognises the prohibition of torture as a non-derogable right. Articles 33 and 34 of Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights prohibit torture, abduction and arbitrary arrest or detention. Indonesia's current Criminal Procedure Code, Law No. 20 of 2025, which entered into force on 2 January 2026, also establishes strengthened protections for suspects, victims and persons subjected to coercive measures.
Where detention occurs in connection with the non-international armed conflict in West Papua, Common Article 3 of the four Geneva Conventions provides an additional minimum standard. Civilians and all persons placed hors de combat through detention must be treated humanely and protected against torture, cruel treatment and outrages upon personal dignity, regardless of their alleged affiliation.
The authorities must initiate an independent investigation capable of identifying the personnel and commanders responsible for the operation and determining the factual and legal grounds for the arrests. Investigators should secure detention registers, operational orders, personnel lists, communications records and any available video recordings from the Jalai military post. The victims should receive independent medical examinations consistent with the Istanbul Protocol, access to legal assistance, protection against intimidation and effective reparations.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-104-2026
Location: 726J+5QG, Bilogai, Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua 98768, Indonesia (-3.7395623, 137.0319626) Jalai Village
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Sugapa
Total number of victims: 4
1. Yonas Nambagani, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
2. Agustinus Nabelau, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
3. Simon Kopeau, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
4. Yoseph Pogau, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
Period of incident: 16/07/2026-17/07/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI) > Indonesian Army (TNI-AD)
Perpetrator details: Personnel belonging to the 744th Special Raider Infantry Battalion/Satya Yudha Bhakti (Yonif RK 744/SYP)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence