14 Sep 2009

Indonesian police arrest Papuan leader on subversion charges

7:24 pm on 14 September 2009

The spokesman for the military wing of the Papua separatist group, the West Papua National Liberation Army, has been arrested by Indonesian police on subversion charges.

The arrest of Jonah Wenda has been reported by a local NGO.

The Australian-based spokesperson for the West Papua Peace Working Group, Paula Makabory, says the arrest of Mr Wenda is a serious set-back to the push for a peaceful resolution to conflict in the region.

She says Mr Wenda had been working to end hostilities between the Indonesian security forces and the indigenous people of Papua.