Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih: Victims Of OPM Shooting Are Not Members Of The TNI

Rusli's body, the victim of the OPM shooting in Paniai Regency, was evacuated to Timika, Wednesday (12/6), and it was confirmed that he was not a member of the TNI. (ANTARA/HO/Satgas Damai Cartenz)

JAYAPURA - Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih Lt. Col. Inf Chandra Kurniawan confirmed that Rusli (40 years old) was a victim of an OPM shooting in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, not a member of the TNI.

"The late Rusli, the victim of the OPM shooting in Kopo Village, East Paniai District, Paniai Regency, Tuesday (10/6) was confirmed not a TNI soldier," said Kapendam, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 11.

Lt. Col. Inf Chandra said that the victim Rusli works as a driver and lives in Madi, Paniai Regency.

Therefore, what is stated by the OPM is a hoax or a lie, because it has been confirmed that the victim is a civilian who works as an angkot driver.

The OPM deliberately spread hoax news and actions carried out by armed groups who wanted to separate themselves from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia against victims of inhumane behavior because after being shot and died, the victim's body and vehicle were burned.

"The incident shows that OPM does not have a heart, barbaric and heinous that makes people miserable and depressed," said Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih Lt. Col. Inf Candra Kurniawan.

Head of the Cartenz Peaceful Public Relations Task Force AKBP Bayu Suseno separately said Rusli's body, Wednesday (12/6) was evacuated to Timika and then flown to Makassar to be buried in his hometown.

The perpetrators of the shooting and burning of civilians were carried out by members of the KKB led by Undius Kogoya.

"When carrying out the action, it was reported that there were 10 KKB people," explained Head of the Cartenz Peaceful Public Relations Task Force AKBP Bayu Suseno.