WEST PAPUAN ON TRIAL STAND BY INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Feb. 21, 2012) - Supporters of the man claiming to be president of an independent state of West Papua, say Indonesian police and soldiers have failed in attempts to intimidate him.

Forkorus Yaboisembut is standing trial, with four others, for treason, after declaring independence from Jakarta during last October’s Papuan People’s Congress.

A member of Mr. Yaboisembut’s staff, Yoab Syatfle, says late last week armed police and soldiers came to the men’s cell in Abepura prison to encourage them to withdraw the independence claim.

But he says Yaboisembut rejected the overtures.

"But Forkorus says ’No, this is our right. Papua has a right to independence, like Indonesia. So that is why I [Forkorus Yaboisembut] never change my mind. We never change our minds, we never change the declaration of independence. We already declare that West Papua independent, so I am the leader, the president, on behalf of my people.’"

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