PT Freeport denies rally report

Copper and gold producer PT Freeport Indonesia has denied the press report that Papuans had held a protest in front of its office, demanding the release of eight murder suspects.

Quoting local newspaper Suara Merdeka, Petromindo reported today (Wednesday) that hundreds of Papuans had staged a rally in front of the company's Jakarta office on Tuesday, demanding the release of eight Papuans being detained at the police headquarters.

"We need to clarify that such occurence is not true as there was no Papuan visit at Freeport office yesterday," company spokesman Mindo Pangaribuan said in a statement.

The police recently arrested the eight Papuans for the alleged involvement in the killing of two American teachers and their Indonesian friend. (Robert)