Yeremia Zanambani Photo: Suara Papua
An Indonesian fact-finding team probing the recent death of a West Papuan pastor has been attacked while conducting investigations.
The government-sanctioned team has concluded the field investigation into the shooting of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani, which his community in Intan Jaya regency blames on Indonesia’s military.
Back in Jakarta, the National Police Commission head Benny Mamoto said his team was able to complete its investigation, despite security threats they encountered.
The West Papua National Liberation Army confirmed that its gunmen were behind an attack on the team in Mamba village.
Two members of the investigative team were injured: a university lecturer and a soldier.
Police are yet to name suspects in the pastor’s death, and the team is expected to announce its findings later this week.
Meanwhile, UCA News reports a senior police official saying an autopsy will be carried out on the body of the pastor to try and determine whether pro-independence fighters or security forces killed him.
According to the Indonesian Communion of Churches, Indonesian Evangelical Christian Church and local media in Papua, Yeremia was allegedly shot by Indonesian Army personnel on his way to his pig pen on 19 September, while a military operation reportedly took place.
The Jakarta Post reports that the military denied the allegation, instead saying that Yeremia was shot by an armed group.
Source: RNZI
