9 Dec 2002

Police in the Indonesian province of Papua say troops have arrested two separatist rebels

6:57 am on 9 December 2002

Police in the Indonesian province of Papua say troops have arrested two separatist rebels.

The two Free Papua Organisation, or OPM, rebels were captured during a raid by soldiers in the Demta area in the outskirts of the regional capital Jayapura.

The Australian Associated Press says soldiers report they seized seven home-made weapons and identification cards bearing OPM insignias from the rebels.

Police arrested 21 people last week for raising the Morning Star separatist flag at Manokwari in north-western Papua.