Hundreds of Papuans stage protest in front of Freeport office

Hundreds of Papuans living in Jakarta rallied in front of PT Freeport Indonesia's office in the Indonesian capital city on Tuesday to protest the arrest of the 12 Papuan residents recently for the alleged involvement in the killing of two American teachers, Suara Merdeka reported.

The protesters grouped in non-governmental organization for promotion of human rights in Papua- KPBPK demanded the police to release the suspects allegedly involved in the murder of the two American teachers and their Indonesian friend.

According to KPBPK's leader Nason Elaby, the government gave more protection to Freeport rather than the local residents. "It is ironic because Papuans are also Indonesian citizens," he said.

As many as 12 people believed as suspects in the killing of two American teachers and an Indonesian in Timika in August, 2002 were detained in Timika on Jan. 11. They include Antonius Wanmang, who in 2004 was indicted by then-US attorney general John Ashcroft for the August 2002 shooting, in which two American teachers and their Indonesian colleague were killed when their vehicle was fired on.

Wanmang was allegedly an OPM commander at the time of the attack, which took place on the road leading to gold and copper mine in Timika operated by US-owned Freeport McMoRan. (*)