Papuan Protesters Detained After Separatist Anniversary Protests
Tuesday, 01 December, 2009 | 18:56 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: About 30 people arrested in Jayapura and over a dozen among them held under police custody on anniversary of the separatist Free Papua Movement on Tuesday (1/12).

The anniversary was marked by street protests in at least three locations in the seat of the province, Polimak, Abepura, outside the Cendrawasih University.

A witness at one of the protest site in Polimak, said he heard at least five gunshots as police tried to break up around 30 protesters after they began speeches and waving the Free papua Movement Flag.

Head of the Public Communication Unit of Papua Police Senior Commissioner Agus Riyanto said there were dozens of protesters from different rally sites arrested but only 13 remained in custody.

In Abepura seven were arrested near Cultural Museum Expo in Waena, and near the Cendrawasih University ten men were arrested for blocking road.

The memorial service of former leader or the grou[ Theys Hiyo Eluway went uninterrupted in Sentani, Jayapura as no flag waving incident occurred in the memorial.

CUNDING LEVI