Indonesia deports four Australians for alleged role in Papua demonstrations

Two of the four Australians deported from Indonesia (Antara)

Jakarta: Indonesia has deported four Australians for reportedly taking part in demonstrations demanding Papua’s independence in front of the mayor’s office in Sorong, the largest city of the Indonesian province of West Papua.

The police in Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost territory, had banned demonstrations that could lead to “anarchist acts.”

The Directorate General of Immigration confirmed the move taken by Sorong Immigration Office in West.

“It is true that four Australian nationals have been deported for allegedly joining the rally,” Chief of the Public Relations Bureau of the Directorate General of Immigration Sam Fernando said in a brief message text, Indonesia’s ANTARA news agency reported.

The rally was organized to demand Papuan independence, he said.

The four Australians were identified as Baxter Tom (37), Davidson Cheryl Melinda (36), Hellyer Danielle Joy (31), and Cobbold Ruth Irene (25).

“The four Australian nationals were deported through the Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong City,” Fernando said.

The Australians will be flown to Bali via Makassar in South Sulawesi Province aboard a Batik Air flight.

“All the foreign nationals will then be flown to Australia aboard a Qantas airline plane with flight number QF44, except Davidson Cheryl Melinda, who will be deported to Australia only on September 4, 2019, by a Virgin Australian Airline plane at 3:45 p.m. local time,” he said.