A Papua human rights activist says a regional Indonesian police chief has issued a death threat against the head of the union representing striking Freeport miners.
On Monday, police gunfire reportedly killed one mine worker and critically injured seven other men during a protest that is part of an almost month-long strike at the Grasberg gold and copper mine.
Paula Makabory of the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights says the head of the Indonesia police precinct in Mimika made the threat in a meeting last night this week.
"The head of the police stated out that Sudiro will be killed. So he stated this out in front of the unions, in front of the region of Mimika, in front of the legislative representatives, the head and members."
Paula Makabory says the Indonesian government should conduct an independent investigation into Monday's shootings.
