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Wanted rebel leader denies role in Papua kidnapping case
Jakarta Globe - September 16, 2015
Jefry Pagawak, said to be a local commander of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) and wanted by the authorities since 2006, said on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the group that attacked a group of loggers in Papua's Keerom district, on the border with Papua New Guinea, on Sept. 9, killing one person and abducting two.
"I'm trying to find out who's behind this attempt to tarnish my name by carrying out this shooting and kidnapping," Jefry told the Jakarta Globe by phone.
"You'll have to ask the police and the military about that, because I wasn't there and I'm not part of that group," he added, saying he would never carry out such an attack "because then I wouldn't be safe."
Police alleged that Jefry's wing of the OPM is responsible for the attack and kidnapping, and that the rebel leader has a history of targeting civilians.
Last week's incident occurred in Keerom's Skopro village, a three-hour hike through thick jungle to the village of Skouwciouw in Papua New Guinea. The attackers fired on the group of loggers, killing one who was later identified by police as simply Kuba. They then took two others hostage, identified as Badar, 30, and Sudirman, 28, and fled across the border.
The Indonesian authorities claim that the kidnappers have demanded the release of Papuan separatist prisoners in exchange for the hostages, but the Globe has been unable to confirm this.
An Indonesian consular official in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, said the PNG military was on the trail of the kidnappers but that there had been no progress yet in securing the hostages' freedom through negotiations or through use of force.
Officials in Jakarta have made clear that they will not give in to any demands the kidnappers have made or plan to make, and that they have full faith in the PNG military being able to secure the men's release.
"We've left it entirely up to the PNG government on how to deal with this incident, because the PNG government is a friend of ours and the prime minister has given this matter special attention," Luhut B. Panjaitan, Indonesia's chief security minister, said on Wednesday.
As for the kidnappers, he said Jakarta "will not negotiate with them on any point. Once we start negotiating, they're going to start dictating terms."
Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/wanted-rebel-leader-denies-role-papua-kidnapping-case/.
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