Political prisoner Alfarisi bin Rikosen (21) died while in detention at the Surabaya Class I Detention Centre (Rutan) in Medaeng Sidoarjo on Tuesday morning December 30.
Alfarisi was a demonstrator who was arrested during a series of protest actions in late August and early September 2025. He had been detained at the Medaeng Detention Centre since September 2025.
Alfarisi was a 21 year old orphan from Sampang in Madura, East Java. He lived with his older brother in a simple boarding room on Jalan Dupak Masigit in Bubutan sub-district, Surabaya. To survive, he and his brother ran a small coffee shop on the terrace of their residence.
Alfarisi was arrested at his residence on September 9, 2025. He was then named a defendant for alleged criminal acts as regulated under Article 1 Paragraph (1) of Emergency Law Number 12/1951 in conjunction with Article 55 and Article 56 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) related to ownership of or involvement with firearms, ammunition or explosives.
Following his arrest, Alfarisi was detained at the Surabaya Metropolitan District Police (Polrestabes) before being transferred to the Medaeng Class I Detention Centre. His case was scheduled to enter the prosecution stage on Monday January 5, 2026.
Thus, Alfarisi died before obtaining a court ruling that has permanent legal force, and still had the status of a defendant. During his detention, Alfarisi reportedly experienced drastic weight loss, estimated at 30-40 kilograms. This condition shows the heavy psychological pressure he was suffering.
Based on information from his cell mate, before he died Alfarisi experienced a seizure. Alfarisi's body has now been returned to Sampang to be buried in the local public cemetery.
Every death that occurs in custody is a serious indicator of state's failures and legally gives rise to direct government responsibility. The state is obliged to conduct a prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigation to reveal the causes of his death and ensure accountability.
Alfarisi's death should not be viewed as an isolated event, but rather as part of a recurring pattern of deaths in custody that reflect a serious crisis in Indonesia's penal and law enforcement system.
We, the Alliance of Former Indonesian and Papuan Political Prisoners (Tapol) and Convicts (Napol), mourn Alfarisi's death and demand:
1. The formation of an independent investigation team into Alfarisi's death that be given access to investigations within the Medaeng Detention Centre and police institutions.
2. Urge the state to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of conditions in the Medaeng Detention Centre and other prisons, and ensure access to adequate health services and humane treatment for all detainees without discrimination.
3. The release all political prisoners arrested during the August 2025 demonstrations throughout Indonesia and all political prisoners in Papua.
End of the Year, December 31, 2025
Former Political Prisoners:
1. Tri Agus Susanto Siswowiharjo (Former Pijar Foundation Napol)
2. Petrus H. Harianto (Former People's Democratic Party (PRD) Napol)
3. Wilson Obrigados (Former PRD Napol)
4. Ken Budha Kusumandaru (Former PRD Napol)
5. Surya Anta (Former Papuan Napol)
6. Fauzi Isman (Former Napol in the Talangsari Lampung case)
7. Suroso (Former PRD Napol)
8. Isti Nugroho (Former Pramoedya book Napol)
9. Coen Husain Pontoh (Former PRD Napol)
10. Mahendra Kusumawardhana (Former Napol for insulting the head of state)
11. Anom Astika (Former PRD Napol)
12. Victor Yeimo (Former Papuan treason Napol)
13. Ambrosius Begint (Former Papuan Napol)
Contact persons via WhatsApp: Tri Agus Susanto Siswowiharjo (0858-8324-1531) and Wilson Obrigados (0877 8267 6136)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Usut Tuntas Kematian Tapol Alfarisi di Rutan Medaeng Surabaya".]
Source: https://www.arahjuang.com/2026/01/03/usut-tuntas-kematian-tapol-alfarisi-di-rutan-medaeng-surabaya/
