Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA824
2008-04-24 08:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
PAPUA -- INCITEMENT TRIAL INVOLVING ACTIVIST
how-toVZCZCXRO6665 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #0824 1150819 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 240819Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8811 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2393 RUCNTXD/AMEMBASSY MAJURO PRIORITY 0042 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 3779 RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA PRIORITY 0148 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1873 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2577 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000824
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP, DRL/AWH
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINS KDEM ID
SUBJECT: PAPUA -- INCITEMENT TRIAL INVOLVING ACTIVIST
STALLED
REF: A. JAKARTA 718
B. JAKARTA 478 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000824
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP, DRL/AWH
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINS KDEM ID
SUBJECT: PAPUA -- INCITEMENT TRIAL INVOLVING ACTIVIST
STALLED
REF: A. JAKARTA 718
B. JAKARTA 478 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Based on our soundings, prosecutors have
repeatedly failed to make an effective case for incitement
against detained Papuan human right activist Sabar Iwanggin.
The case continues while he remains under house arrest.
Pol/C and poloff plan to visit Papua in early May to raise
USG concerns regarding this case, among other key matters.
END SUMMARY.
IWANGGIN CASE STALLED
2. (SBU) The case against Papuan human rights activist Sabar
Iwanggin is stalled. Prosecutors had charged Iwanggin with
incitement for allegedly forwarding text messages that
charged President Yudhoyono and other Indonesian officials
with an alleged plot to poison Papuans. His trial--which is
being held in Jayapura, Papua--began in January (see Ref B).
On six occasions over the past two months, the trial was
adjourned because prosecutors failed to produce witnesses.
3. (C) Authorities have released Iwanggin from prison and he
is now under house arrest. There may be more good news in
the case soon. Police officials have privately admitted that
they do not think they have sufficient evidence to convict
Iwanggin, according to Budi Hernawan, director of the
Jayapura Diocese Peace and Justice Secretariat, who has
assisted with Iwanggin's defense. Contacts involved in the
case expect prosecutors to eventually drop the charges but
have no certainty as to whether or when that might happen.
SHOWING USG CONCERN
4. (SBU) Pol/C and poloff plan to visit Jayapura, the
capital of Papua Province, in early May. They will raise USG
concerns regarding the Iwanggin case and other issues,
including recent cases lodged against individuals who raised
the Morning Star Flag, which the GOI considers a symbol of
separatism (Ref A.). Other key aspects of the visit will
include discussions on progress in the regional autonomy area
and planned public outreach events involving Papuan youth.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP, DRL/AWH
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINS KDEM ID
SUBJECT: PAPUA -- INCITEMENT TRIAL INVOLVING ACTIVIST
STALLED
REF: A. JAKARTA 718
B. JAKARTA 478 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Based on our soundings, prosecutors have
repeatedly failed to make an effective case for incitement
against detained Papuan human right activist Sabar Iwanggin.
The case continues while he remains under house arrest.
Pol/C and poloff plan to visit Papua in early May to raise
USG concerns regarding this case, among other key matters.
END SUMMARY.
IWANGGIN CASE STALLED
2. (SBU) The case against Papuan human rights activist Sabar
Iwanggin is stalled. Prosecutors had charged Iwanggin with
incitement for allegedly forwarding text messages that
charged President Yudhoyono and other Indonesian officials
with an alleged plot to poison Papuans. His trial--which is
being held in Jayapura, Papua--began in January (see Ref B).
On six occasions over the past two months, the trial was
adjourned because prosecutors failed to produce witnesses.
3. (C) Authorities have released Iwanggin from prison and he
is now under house arrest. There may be more good news in
the case soon. Police officials have privately admitted that
they do not think they have sufficient evidence to convict
Iwanggin, according to Budi Hernawan, director of the
Jayapura Diocese Peace and Justice Secretariat, who has
assisted with Iwanggin's defense. Contacts involved in the
case expect prosecutors to eventually drop the charges but
have no certainty as to whether or when that might happen.
SHOWING USG CONCERN
4. (SBU) Pol/C and poloff plan to visit Jayapura, the
capital of Papua Province, in early May. They will raise USG
concerns regarding the Iwanggin case and other issues,
including recent cases lodged against individuals who raised
the Morning Star Flag, which the GOI considers a symbol of
separatism (Ref A.). Other key aspects of the visit will
include discussions on progress in the regional autonomy area
and planned public outreach events involving Papuan youth.
HUME