Indonesian Navy Arrests Papuan OPM Members Doing Espionage On Mapia Island, Supiori

PAPUA - A member of the Free Papua Organization (OPM)-West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) named Pilemon Burame alias PB (35) was arrested on the outer islands of Mapia, West Supiori District, Supiori Regency, Papua.

The arrests were made by the joint personnel of the Indonesian Navy Base (AL) because it was suspected that the person concerned carried out espionage or spying activities against the activities of TNI soldiers in the local area.

"PB is registered as a member of Papua Intelligence for the TPNPB Service and was arrested on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 09.30 WIT on Mapia Island, Supiori Regency and has been under to Lanal Biak with the KRI desk 625," said Commander of the Indonesian Navy Base Biak Colonel (Mar) Jinawi Atut Waluyanto at a press conference at Mako Lanal Biak, Monday, August 5, confiscated by Antara.

Danlanal said that from the results of the examination of PB, joint TNI personnel, Marine Task Force, Outer Island Task Force Korem 173/PVB and Babinsa Kodim 1708 Biak found as many as 107 types of evidence that were secured and confiscated for the next law enforcement process.

Among the evidence found in PB, such as TPNPB official striped clothes, TPNPB membership cards, flags, and membership documents of the Free Papuan organization.

He emphasized that for legal handling of the perpetrators of TPNPB members, his party handed over the prosecution of his legal case to the Supiori Police.

"For the submission of the perpetrators of TPNPB members along with 107 types of evidence, it will be carried out as soon as possible after the release of this arrest," said Colonel (Mar) Atut accompanied by Assistant Asintel Guskamla III Colonel (P) Darwin Simbolon with Dandim 1708 Lt. Col. Inf. Marsen Sinaga Deputy Head of Biak Police Commissioner of Police Mustit Sefiyan,Pasi Intel Lanal Mayor (Mar) M.Decky Rumbiak and representatives of Police Officer Supiori. Atut explained that the results of the examination were carried out on members of the TPNPB who were caught on Mapia Island were strongly suspected of spying on the activities of the TNI on duty on the Outermost Island of Mapia.

As of Monday, August 5, members of the TPNPB with the initials PB have been secured at the Mako Lanal Biak for further submission to the Supiori Police investigators.