2 May 2015

12 arrests ahead of anniversary of West Papua annexation

9:13 am on 2 May 2015

12 people have reportedly been arrested by Indonesian security forces in West Papua, on the 46th anniversary of Indonesia's annexation of the former Dutch colony.

The pro-independence West Papua National Committee, of KNPB, says the 12 activists were arrested outside a maket in Manokwari Thursday afternoon for distributing leaflets about a demonstration planned for Friday.

They are still believed to be in custody.

There are now reports of KNPB members in Jayapura, Merauke being arrested, and the arrest of a journalist in Nabire.