Papua police condemned over treason trial transfer

Human rights activists from the Papuan Civil Coalition have condemned police in Papua for transferring treason suspects to East Kalimantan.

The activists, including the suspects' lawyers, claim the transfers were made without any legal basis and without their knowledge.

The Jakarta Post reports the seven suspects - Buktar Tabuni, Agus Kossay, Fery Kombo, Alexander Gobay, Steven Itlai, Hengku Hilapok and Irwanus Uropmabin - were arrested following the protests against racism in Jayapura.

The coalition said the prisoners were members of the West Papua National Committee and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

The transfers should be reversed, it said, and police should respect the suspects' rights to legal assistance.

Police said the trial, slated for December, is being moved to East Kalimantan for security reasons.