Seven alleged OPM members arrested in Yapen

Seven alleged OPM members arrested in Yapen

Cenderawasih Pos, 23 July 2009

[Based throughout on information from the police force in Papua. No independent verification.]

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Jayapura: Seven Papuans thought to be involved in the TNP/OPM (TPN is the armed wing of the OPM) were arrested by the police in Yapen several days ago in Kampung Kayu Puri and Kampung Matembu. They were taken under heavy guard to police headquarters.

The seven persons were identified only by their initials all between the ages of 18 and 49. After arriving at police HQ, they were given health check-ups and several items of evidence were confiscated, including a Morning Star flag, two hand-made pistols, four handmade rifles and ammunition, as well as bows and arrows, and a red beret bearing a Mambruk bird sign.

Deputy police chief told journalists they were taken to police HQ for questioning. He said: 'We need to establish the degree of their involvement (no reference to what).'

The deputy police chief said that three persons, YA, AB and YR had surrendered following a police assault against a group of TPN/OPM members thought to have fled from the Kapeso airstrip [which was occupied several weeks ago]. 'The police had encircled them; because they lacked food, they surrendered.'

Police alleged that they are thought to have been involved in a flag-raising incident in Yapen on 6 July, after a police patrol. 'They are clearly armed criminals, but it is unclear to which group they belong.'

Three others identified only as PU, LA and OA were also arrested by police who had patrolled their kampung; the police allege that they came under gunshot and grenade attack..

Police alleged that, according to information from local people, four of the men, PU, LA, OA and OY, had been causing disturbances and hampering the local supply of water.

The deputy police chief said he believed they were involved in the occupation of Kapeso airstrip. The police said they have been making approaches to the local inhabitants to warn them of the likely intentions of these people. These 'approaches' had resulted in nine local people agreeing voluntarily to return to their kampungs, after having been given 'advice' and were not held in custody but were released.

AB allegedly confessed to having been tricked by Erick Menitori, a TPN/OPM leader and was taken to Heneka, Mambramo Raya. 'I spent only one week with Erick,' he said.

YA also claimed that he had been tricked into thinking he would be asked to help in a housing construction but was instead taken to Kapeso, where he says he saw a wooden pole with a Morning Star flag flying on top.

When troops appeared in Kapeso he fled but because he was not well, he decided to surrendered to the police.

ENDS

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