[Indonesia Report] Ukrainian arrested for taking part in gathering of Free Papua Movement

OPM Anniversary Commemoration on December 1, 2012 (Photo: www.beta.lensaindonesia.com)

Indonesian Police in Manokwari district, Papua Province, detained a Ukrainian citizen when he joined a gathering held in time for the anniversary of Free Papua Movement (OPM), a separatist group, on Saturday (December 1).

Detiknews.com reported that an Ukrainian national named Artem Shapirenko, 36, was arrested due to visa expiration.

“Shapirenko overstayed in Indonesia for 4 months and the misuse of visa. In addition, Shapirenko also did not report his existence to the Police in 24 hours,” Papua Police Head of Public Relations Chief Gede Sumerta reportedly told AFP on Sunday (12/02/2012).

Gede explained that Shapirenko was born February 5, 1976 and entered Indonesia with a 60 days tourist visa that was expired on May 2012. Shapirenko entered Indonesia through Yos Sudarso Airport in Dumai.

“Shapirenko’s attended the commemoration to cover the anniversary gathering, but Shapirenko did not have a journalist license,” Gede was quoted as telling detiknews.com.

It further said that in the recent months, Shapirenko stayed at a local’s home, named La Garuda, which is located at Jalan Simponi Rindu Wirsi, Manokwari, Papua.

Based on the information obtained, Shapirenko was learned to have worked as a firefighter in Ukraine.

Shapirenko is now detained in Manokwari district police for questioning.

Meidyana Rayana Intern Reporter news@theasian.asia