23 Dec 2016

Four more charged with treason for Papuan demos

2:46 pm on 23 December 2016

Four more people have been charged with treason after demonstrating for West Papuan self-determination on Monday.

Over 500 people were reportedly arrested from West Papua demonstrations in Indonesia, December 2016.

Over 500 people were reportedly arrested from West Papua demonstrations in Indonesia. Photo: Supplied

Monday, which was the 55th anniversary of the first Indonesian military invasion of Papua, was marked by demonstrations in at least 14 Indonesian cities.

About 500 people were reported to have been arrested for participating in the demonstrations.

Police in the Papua provincial capital Jayapura confirmed they had charged two Papuans for inciting treason against the state, and provoking other demonstrators to commit treason.

Now, reports from Indonesia indicate that four more people have been charged under the rebellion law after demonstrating in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province.

A treason charge could lead to a jail term of up to 15 years.

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