SORONG, INDONESIA – Police in Sorong City, West Papua, have formally handed over four suspected members of the self-proclaimed Negara Federal Republik Papua Barat (NFRPB), or Federal Republic of West Papua, to the Sorong District Prosecutor’s Office for prosecution on charges of treason. The transfer, known as Stage II, took place on Tuesday (12 August 2025).
According to Sorong City Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Arifal Utama, the submission included 35 official documents and several NFRPB membership cards as evidence. “Our investigators, led by Ipda Thomas Sabon, also turned over a range of organizational attributes belonging to the suspects,” Arifal said.
The four suspects have been identified by their initials: AGG, PR, MS, and NM. Police allege that AGG served as Presidential Staff and Minister of Home Affairs of NFRPB, PR acted as Deputy Regional Police Chief for Domberai, MS held the position of Chief of Criminal Investigation within NFRPB, and NM served as a member of the group’s armed wing.
All evidence, Arifal said, has been verified and cross-checked with suspect statements, making the case ready for prosecution. Reports indicate the suspects may be transferred to Makassar, South Sulawesi, for trial, though prosecutors have yet to confirm this.
The investigation began with the questioning of five witnesses and a formal case review on 28 April 2025. Police later seized imitation police and military uniforms bearing NFRPB insignia, as well as 18 official documents suggesting a parallel state structure.
One key operation occurred on 30 April 2025, when 100 joint personnel from Sorong City Police and Brimob (Mobile Brigade) raided AGG’s residence in the Belakang Yohan neighborhood. The search, lasting from 07:00 to 08:45 local time, uncovered more prohibited NFRPB materials.
Investigators also found a letter titled “Peace Negotiation” addressed to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and copied to law enforcement authorities. The letter is now a critical piece of evidence, alongside an ongoing probe into the group’s alleged funding sources.
“We are still tracing the origin of their operational budget,” said Chief Commissioner of Police Happy, stressing that the investigation is expanding.
Authorities underscored their firm stance against separatist activities. “There is no place for any group or organization attempting to undermine the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Happy declared.
