Jayapura, IDNtribune.com – Michelle Kurisi, a Papuan native women’s rights activist, was reportedly shot dead. She was believed to have been shot dead by Separatists or the Papuan Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Jayawijaya, Papua Highlands.

Spokesperson for the Papua Regional Police, Chief Commissioner of Police Ign Benny Ady Prabowo, said that the police had conducted investigation and asked the public not to be provoked.

“We have conducted a thorough investigation to reveal the truth of this case,” said Benny, Wednesday (30/8/2023).

“We invite all people in Papua and the wider community not to be provoked by propaganda by news that has not been proven true. Let’s wait together for the results of the investigation which will provide clear clarification regarding this incident,” he added.

KKB and KST are the designations of the security forces in the armed militias of the Free Papua Organization (OPM).

Previously it was reported that Michelle Kurisi was shot dead because she was accused of intending to collect data on war refugees from the Nduga community. She was accused by the Liberation of Papua (TNPP)’s national army of being an Indonesian spy.

However, this was denied by the Head of Public Relations and Media of the Cenderawasih Military District TNI Infantery Lieutenant Colonel Johanis Parinussa. He stated that the victim was not a spy or intelligence agent, but a social activist.

“There was no involvement of Mrs. Michelle Kurisi Ndoga who was killed by the Papuan KKB group in the field of TNI intelligence,” said Lieutenant Colonel Johanis Parinussa.

Johanis said that the victims were ordinary civilians. The victim wanted to help refugees in Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

“Mrs. Michelle Kurisi Ndoga is purely a civil society person who wants to help refugees in Nduga,” he explained.

So far, Michelle Kurisi Ndoga is a social activist who is widely known by the public for her concern for the community and children in remote areas of Papua.

Regarding the murder of Michelle Kurisi there has been no official statement from OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International Indonesia condemns the murder of Michelle Kurisi and calls for the chain of violence in Papua to stop.

“This chain of violence must stop. The cruel, inhuman and degrading actions that have occurred over the past two weeks cannot be justified for any reason. It takes away the fundamental human right to life,” said Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid in a statement. the information.

The murder was committed because Michelle was suspected of carrying out suspicious activities.

In the video broadcast received by Amnesty, the victim, who was dressed in black and sitting down, was giving an explanation while saying broken sentences. The broadcast of the explanation was cut off and continued with footage of the victim who had fallen on his back on the ground and was seriously injured. ***