22 Jul 2008

Six charged over Papuan flag raising

10:24 am on 22 July 2008

Indonesian police have charged six people with treason after a group of Papuans hoisted an separatist flag in West Papua province at the weekend.

The group raised the outlawed Morning Star flag, the symbol of the separatist Free Papua Movement early on Saturday in Fakfak, in West Papua province.

Agus Riyanto, a Papua police spokesman says after questioning 49 people, six suspects were arrested on charges of treason, while three others were arrested for possessing machetes.

Treason can carry a maximum sentence of life.

The police also confiscated a 2 metre (6 ft 7 in) wide flag, several documents in Papuan and knives from the group.