Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 6 February 2026
On 20 August 2024, Mr Tobias Silak, a civilian, was fatally shot and Naro Dapla sustained serious gunshot injuries on the Dekai mountain road, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. Following a criminal trial, a panel of judges at the Wamena District Court delivered verdicts against four Indonesian police officers involved in the incident in late October 2025. On 2 February 2026, credible information emerged that Second Brigadier Fernando Alexander Aufa, one of the convicted officers, was seen walking freely in Wamena (see videos below, source: independent HRD), raising serious concerns that he may have been released by the Jayawijaya District Police despite a five-year custodial sentence.
A solidarity activist saw ç walking in front oft he Jayawijaya police station, only three months after he had been sentenced to five years imprisonment. Following the encounter, the activist reported the encounter to the Jayawijaya District Police and the Wamena corrective facilty. According to the activist, neither police officers nor correctional officers took action, raising serious impunity concerns.
Background
On 28 October 2025, the Court convicted Chief Brigadier Muhammad Kurniawan Kudu (Gorontalo Police Mobile Brigade) under Article 338 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (murder) and sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment for shooting an unarmed civilian. Three additional defendants were convicted under Article 360 in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code and each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Evidence before the Court established that eight direct shots were fired at the victim without prior warning.
The victims’ legal team welcomed the sentence but condemned the leniency of sentences relative to the gravity of the crimes. Counsel argued that the evidence demonstrated premeditation, warranting prosecution under Article 340 (premeditated murder), which carries life imprisonment or the death penalty. The families further objected to the classification of the three co-defendants’ conduct as mere negligence, citing courtroom facts indicating coordinated actions and false reporting of a alleged shootout at Pasar Lama to cover-up the crime.
The verdict neither included dismissal from the Indonesian National Police, nor did the Court award restitution, compensation, or rehabilitation to the victims and their families. This is particularly concerning given that domestic law enables such remedies. Moreover, Naro Dapla was a minor at the time of the shooting. The trail also failed to establish command-level accountability, leaving those holding command responsibility free from prosecution.
Australia West Papua Association Adelaide 