JAYAPURA, PAPUA, INDONESIA – MARCH 16, 2006 Students of Cendrawasih University called a demonstration that turned into a bloodbath and claimed the lives of several police officers. They demanded the closure of the mining company Freeport Indonesia, which operates the giant Grasberg copper-gold mine. They accused it of oppressing local residents and destroying the environment.
However, the protesting students refused to give up and ignored police warnings. Instead, they built barricades out of tires and coconut palms. When the police used tear gas to disperse them, a street battle broke out between the two sides. The students accused the police of using live ammunition and defended themselves with practically anything they could find.
The result of the demonstration was 4 dead police officers and one army officer. Dozens of others on both sides were injured.
In the following days, 23 students were arrested, 20 of whom were charged with the deaths of the officers, looting, and other crimes. Some sentences reached up to 15 years in prison. Many of them claimed their confessions were forced and that they were beaten during interrogations.
READ MORE:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Abepura_incident
