25 May 2013

Bodies discovered in Papua could be those of missing activists

9:42 am on 25 May 2013

Details emerging from Indonesia's Papua province indicate that mutilated bodies discovered in recent days could be those of missing members of the pro-independence activist group, the West Papua National Committee or KNPB.

West Papua Media Alerts this week published the names of 13 people whose bodies have reportedly been found in Puncak Jaya regency displaying signs of violent deaths.

Unconfirmed reports from activists in the region say some of the victims have been identified as local West Papuans who went missing in April, including KNPB members.

The KNPB, whose leader Victor Yeimo is detained by police following a demonstration in Jayapura earlier this month, has alleged Indonesian military are responsible for the disappearance of 41 people in the remote farming area around Puncak Jaya.

Eight Indonesian troops were killed by suspected guerilla fighters in this area in February and reprisals were widely expected.