The National Police announced on Tuesday that they had named six men, including a top official of a separatist group, suspects of torture and beating that led to the deaths of four civilians in Papua in August last year.
Dany Kogoya of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and five other suspects, identified only as LF, NJ, KJ, TK and SK, were arrested on Sunday at a hotel in Papua, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said.
“The police arrested them after gathering enough evidence that they were involved in the incident, which happened on Aug. 1, last year,” Boy announced on Tuesday.
During the incident, a group of unidentified people armed with sharp weapons attacked a group of vegetable vendors traveling from Koya to Youtefa market in Abepura, Jayapura. Three men and a woman died from severe stab wounds.
A morning star flag, which was used by the OPM, was reportedly found at the scene. The OPM has constantly denied any involvement in the incident.
Besides declaring the six men suspects, kompas.com reported that the police had also questioned 25 witnesses of the incident.
Investigators, according to Boy, were also thoroughly studying whether or not Dany was linked with Mako Tabuni, a Papua independence activist who was shot dead when officers attempted to arrest him in June. Mako was allegedly involved in various shootings in the province.