ABC 12/11/01 19:20:13
Indonesian military says independence leader died of heart
attack
The Indonesian military says an independence leader in West Papua, formerly known
as Irian Jaya, apparently died of a heart attack.
Hundreds of people have gathered to mourn the death of Theys Eluay who was found
dead in his crashed car on Sunday after reportedly being abducted.
As Mark Bowling reports security forces have been placed on alert in the province.
News of the death of Chief Theys Eluay sparked street protests. Some of his
supporters setting fire to cars. After he was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday night
villagers discovered the mutilated body of Theys Eluay in a wrecked car in a ravine
outside the Papua capital Jayapura, and close to the border with Papua New Guinea.
His lawyers say there are signs Theys Eluay had been tortured before death. His
widow has already accused the Indonesian military of being behind the killing. Theys
Eluay was a traditional chief of the Santani region near Jayapura. Last year
campaigners opposed to rule by Jakarta voted him leader of the Papua Presidium an
organisation set up to fight for independence.
12/11/01 19:20:13
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