PAPUA -- ACTIVIST DETAINED; MISSION EXPRESSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 003015 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, DRL/AWH, EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS ID SUBJECT: PAPUA -- ACTIVIST DETAINED; MISSION EXPRESSES CONCERN Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Indonesian National Police (INP) have arrested a well-known Papuan human rights activist. The INP claims the activist--who is now in detention in Jakarta after being transferred from Papua--sent "defamatory messages." Pol/C has expressed concern about the case to the GOI. END SUMMARY. ARREST OF ACTIVIST ¶2. (C) The INP arrested Iwanngin Sabar Olif--a Papuan human rights activist and volunteer lawyer for the human rights advocacy group Els-ham Papua--for sending "defamatory messages" regarding Indonesian officials and spreading "terrorist messages" via short-message-services (SMS). (Note: Els-ham Papua is a well-known human rights advocacy NGO. In the past, it has defended a number of Papuan independence activists.) Contacts report that Olif was arrested in Jayapura, Papua, on October 18; police officials publicly announced the arrest on October 24. The police transported Olif to Jakarta on October 25 for further questioning. Olif's supporters claim he was not the source of the messages and that the charges are politically-motivated and linked to his human rights efforts. A STRANGE SMS ¶3. (SBU) The INP says that the SMS message that Olif allegedly sent to some Papuan contacts read: "New information, be on the alert, SBY (the initials of President Yudhoyono) has already ordered the elimination (of) the people of Papua to take control of the natural resources of their land. The methods to be used to eliminate the Papuan people are food poisoning, hired doctors, hired food stalls, hired motorbike taxis, hired drivers and ABRI (former name for the Indonesian Armed Forces)--forward this quickly to the whole community of Papua before it is too late." KEY ANTI-TERROR SQUAD INVOLVED? ¶4. (C) Initial press reports claimed that SD-88, an elite anti-terror strike force, had made the arrest. National SD-88 chief Brigadier General (police) Bekto Suprapto told poloff that the INP's Jakarta-based Criminal Investigation Division (CID) made the arrest, not SD-88. The anti-terror squad,s Papuan intelligence unit had been present during the arrest, but only in a back-up capacity. Suprapto confirmed that Olif was being investigated for possibly "defaming" the Indonesian president. EXPRESSING CONCERN ¶5. (C) Pol/C has expressed concern about the case. In an October 26 meeting with Pol/C, Albert Matondang, a high-level official in the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, confirmed that he had heard of the case, but did not have any details. Pol/C also flagged concern in conversations with Department of Foreign Affairs contacts. Pol/C noted that we would appreciate any further information about the arrest, commenting that the case was bound to spark concerns among Papuans and human rights groups. Pol/C underscored that the GOI should carefully review the grounds for the arrest, and whether such detention was warranted based on the law and the facts. THE FOG OF PAPUA ¶6. (C) Events related to Papua are almost always shrouded in fog and, true to form, what exactly is going on here is difficult to ascertain with much precision. It seems possible that Olif has transgressed some Indonesian law regarding defamation. At the same time, it is possible he is being singled out in some way, perhaps for his activist agenda. Mission will continue to inquire about the case. HUME