Last night family members of Rudi Pagawak (23 years old) were at the Indonesian regional military headquarters. They were there to question the death of Rudi. Rudi who worked for PT Sinar Mas Plantation company, was tortured to death by an Indonesian soldier named sergeant SK from the Indonesian regional headquarters 172/PWY (Jayapura).

The torture took place in front of the Indonesian military post in Lereh, Jayapura regency on Thursday, 1/11/2007 at around 18.00. Rudi died 3 hours after getting medical treatment at Sinar Mas health clinic. According to eye witness, Beni Kenila, the incident happened when Rudi Pagawak (victim) and his friend, Jepo (both of them are staff or PT Sinar Mas Plantation company) wanted to make phone call to their families from Wartel Koperasi Sinar Mas  (a telecommunication service point)  at Eko 6 location.

However, Rudi could not make any phone calls because there weren’t any phone pulse credits available at the telecommunication service point. Finally, Rudi and his friend looked for another telecommunication service point, Wartel Ridom which was also located within the plantation company area.  “When Rudi walked passed the military post, he didn’t ask permission to the military post commander. Also when he walked passed the military post, he turned twice to look at the military post commander. Because of suspicion, the military post commander called him”, said Beni to Cenderawasih Post at the Indonesian regional headquarter last night.

Beni, who works as security guard for Sinar Mas Plantation company, said that when Rudi came, the Indonesian soldier slapped his face. Rudi could not accept this action so he opposed that. Then, the Indonesian soldier took Rudi to a water tank beside the military post and dunked him inside the water tank.

According to Beni, Rudi has lost conciosness after being dunked inside the water tank. Then, Rudi (the victim) was taken to Sinar Mas health clinic. However, at the time Rudi was unconscious. After a few medical checks by the clinic nurse, Rudi passed away at 22.00.

Yuri Weya, a security guard for Sinar Mas Plantation company, was also an eyewitness. He is also a relative of Rudi Pagawak. Yuri said that the incident began at 5pm on Thursday, 1/11/2007 when Rudi and one his friends were on their way to make phone calls at the telecommunication service point.  “The telecommunication service point is near the military post”, he said.  When they walked past the military post, Rudi and his friend didn’t greet the military pos commander. “Perhaps, the military commander was offended so he called them. When Rudi and his friend arrived at the post, the military commander immediately tortured them without questioning or saying anything to them”, said Yuri.

Rudi was slapped 3 times on his right ear. Afterwards they were tortured. Rudi and his friend were dunked for 15 minutes inside a pond which is located beside the military post. At that time, Rudi was in pain and told the soldier (who dunked them) that he couldn’t bear anymore.

“The information that I was able to get from Rudi was that he was tortured by the military post commander named sergeant SK, and he was dunked inside the pond that cause him pain.”  “Then, he was taken to the health clinic”, said Yuri at Papua provincial hospital morgue  in Dok II Jayapura.

The families and relatives  of Rudi Pagawak could not accept his death so yesterday (Friday, 2/11/) they took Rudi Pagawak’s body  to the Indonesian regional military headquarter 172/PWY in Padang Bulan Abepura to demand the responsibility of the person who caused his death. Later, they took Rudi’s body to the provincial hospital in Dok II Jayapura for an autopsy. Until last night many of Rudi’s families, relatives and friends were still at the military headquarter.

“We as heads of Dani tribe in Lereh, demand that the person who has killed one of our people must be brought to court. We demand that he should lose his position as a military soldier. This wasn’t he first time he committed violence to people, he did it very often. One of the family members said “During his appointment at Lereh, he had many similar cases”. Using the opportunity at the regional military headquarters, he demanded that not only the person who killed Rudi’s should be fired but also he demanded that the regional military commander withdrew all the military personnel who are stationed in Lereh. “The presence of military in that location has made life very difficult for the local  people”, he said.

Colonel Kav Burhanuddin Siagian *, regional commander of 172/PWY when questioned on the incident admitted the incident.  To follow up the case, the soldier has been arrested and is being held at the military police post POMDAM XVII/Trikora waiting for legal process. The regional commander said, “Clearly we will not cover or protect any members that commit crime/falsehood. Certainly, the soldier has been arrested and has been sent to the military police for further legal process”. The commander further added that in relation to this incident his organisation is still in the process of gathering and collecting information including information from the soldier. In his answer, the soldier had admitted the crime. However, whatever he [the soldier] has said, he is wrong so he will get punished.

According to the military commander, what was committed by the soldier was already over acting and was over the limit. His organisation never taught any soldier to act like that. In fact, TNI members should obey 8 TNI obligations when they interact with the people.

When questioned about the demands of the people who came to the regional headquarters, the commander said that he respected their aspiration because they were polite, well organised, gentle and were very kind. However, after giving explanation to them, they could understand very well and knew what problems they were facing. (cak/mud). Izak/mnur/Cenderawasih Pos.

*   FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN (UK) Note:

Col. Burhanuddin Siagian, who commands the TNI’s 172 Military District based in Jayapura, has been indicted for Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor.



So far he has never faced prosecution.