Jayapura – Dozens of protester from the Justice Front for Tobias Silak, consisting of the Cipayung Youth and Social Organisation (OKP Cipayung), movement activists, community members and the victim's family, held a long-march starting at 8.40 am from the Cross Tower to the Wamena District Court building while giving speeches and shouting for justice for the late Tobias Silak.
The action was held to support the trial hearing the case of the shooting of Tobias Silak and Naro Dapla on August 20, 2024, which was held on Monday July 28 with the agenda of examining witnesses by the public prosecutor (JPU) at the Wamena District Court (PN) in Jayawijaya regency, Papua Highlands province.
At around 9.20 am, the demonstrators arrived in front of the Wamena District Court and gave speeches while waiting for the victim and defendant witnesses to arrive at the courtroom.
At 10.15 am the defendant and the victim witness arrived at the court then the demonstrators moved into the court yard to continue giving speeches and reading poetry while waiting for the examinations to be carried out.
The protesters are demanding that the four alleged perpetrators be dismissed from their unit as members of the paramilitary Mobile Police (Brimob) and sentenced to life imprisonment as stipulated under Article 340 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on premeditated murder.
"Several witnesses and the facts on the ground prove that Tobias Silak was murdered in a structured manner, so we demand that the perpetrators be sentenced to life imprisonment", said Justice Front for Tobias Silak coordinator M.J. Ibage in Wamena.
Meanwhile, the victim's legal representative, Enius Asso, urged the state to be present and provide rehabilitation, reconciliation and compensation for the victim's family.
"We are asking the state to pay attention to the victims' families, as a form of justice for the victims' families by providing rehabilitation, reconciliation and compensation", he said.
The Tobias Silak trial will resume on August 4 at the Wamena District Court. At approximately 2:20 pm the protesters dispersed voluntarily.
The Justice Front for Tobias Silak is demanding:
1. That the trial of the four defendants in the murder of the late Tobias Silak be independent and transparent.
2. That the perpetrators of the shooting of the late Tobias Silak be given the maximum sentence and dismissed from their unit.
3. An immediate and thorough investigation into the other perpetrators, including the person in charge and commander in the shooting case of the late Tobias Silak under the articles on premeditated murder.
4. That the state be obliged to pay attention to compensation, restitution and rehabilitation for the family of the victim the late Tobias Silak.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Massa Aksi Mendatangi PN Wamena Menuntut Pelaku Penembakan Tobias Silak Dihukum Maksimal".]
