Merauke, Jubi – A 38-year-old man from Merauke Regency in South Papua, who was allegedly assaulted by police officers, has died after receiving intensive treatment in the ICU at Merauke Regional Public Hospital.

Leonardo M. Konorop died on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, after suffering serious injuries in the alleged assault on Brawijaya Street in Merauke city on Friday, 4 September.

Merauke Police Chief Senior Commissioner Leonardo Yoga expressed his condolences following Leonardo's death.

He said police were still investigating the full sequence of events that led to the victim being hospitalised and later dying.

"On behalf of the institution, I express my deepest condolences over this incident," Yoga told reporters at Merauke Police Headquarters on Tuesday morning.

Yoga said three police officers had been placed in custody for questioning, with one officer, identified only as R, suspected of committing a serious assault based on preliminary information obtained by investigators.

However, he stressed that all three officers were still being treated as witnesses while investigators continued to examine their individual roles and gather sufficient evidence.

"At this stage, one person, with the initial R, is suspected of carrying out the assault. But his status is still that of a witness," he said.

Investigators were continuing to question witnesses and collect evidence to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Yoga said police had previously conducted two mediation sessions over an issue involving the victim and a police officer.

However, those efforts had failed to resolve the matter before the incident that ultimately led to Leonardo's death.

According to preliminary witness accounts, the incident began when an off-duty police officer allegedly felt threatened by Leonardo, who was believed to have been intoxicated and carrying a machete.

The officer then allegedly picked up a piece of wood and struck Leonardo after feeling threatened.

Yoga stressed that this was only the initial version of events and would be further investigated based on facts and evidence gathered by police.

"But that is only the initial chronology. We will continue to investigate it thoroughly. We have received the report and will process it further," he said.

Yoga said Merauke Police would not protect any officers found to have committed misconduct or a criminal offence.

"From the beginning, I have said that I will not protect any member found guilty. We will process the case in accordance with the applicable law," he said.

He also said the investigation would be conducted transparently and that police would not conceal any facts uncovered during the inquiry.

"We must investigate this thoroughly based on sufficient evidence. We will not cover anything up. We will be transparent and act according to the facts and evidence we obtain," he said.

In addition to the legal process, Yoga said Merauke Police would visit Leonardo's family to offer condolences and would assist with funeral expenses.

"We will go to the family's home to express our condolences. The Merauke Police will take responsibility for the funeral and related arrangements," he said.

He said police hoped communication with the victim's family would continue so the case could proceed through legal channels without outside interference.

"We hope this case can be resolved without any outside influence. What we want is to uphold the law," he said.

Earlier, Merauke Papua Legal Aid Institute activist Philipus Cambu said he would assist Leonardo's family throughout the legal process.

He called for the investigation to follow proper procedures and for everyone involved to be treated equally, regardless of their position or status.

The chair of the South Papua People's Assembly (MRPS), Damianus Katayu, also welcomed the police's response to the alleged assault report but called for the case to be handled professionally and transparently.

Katayu said that if the investigation found police officers had committed violence, firm action should be taken.

"If there are indeed elements of violence, then firm action should be taken," he said.

He said his office would monitor the handling of the case because it involved the loss of a human life.

"This is a human life – the life of an Indigenous Papuan that we must protect," he said.

Source: https://en.jubi.id/merauke-man-dies-after-alleged-police-assault