Timika, Papua. A suspected Papuan rebel was charged with premeditated murder on Sunday for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of a middle-ranking military officer, following his arrest a day earlier.

Anan Nawipa stands accused of murdering First Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, who was ambushed by a group of rebels and shot to death in Paniai Regency on April 11.

He was transferred from Nabire to a detention facility in Timika under the supervision of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, a joint command of the military and the police tasked with handling sporadic attacks by rebel groups in the restive province.

"Anan Nawipa confessed that his group had murdered the commander of the Aradide District Military Command out of hatred against the Indonesian Military and Police," Task Force Head Chief Comr. Faizal Ramadhani said at a news conference in Timika.

The officer said Anan is a member of a rebellious cell led by Osea Satu Boma. The task force has identified other suspects in the group and launched a manhunt, Faizal added.

"There are seven perpetrators from the group, including Osea Satu Boma, Jemi aka Yegetaka Degei, Yakob Bonai aka Bonai Bon, Yakobus Nawipa, Kleibou Nawipa, Anan Nawipa, and the last suspect with the initials UKM," Faizal said.

Anan was a police fugitive for alleged motorcycle theft after he escaped from a previous arrest, Faizal said.

If convicted of premeditated murder, Anan could face the death sentence by the firing squad.

"He has stolen 12 motorcycles and was involved in at least two robbery cases," Faizal added.

Task Force spokesman Bayu Suseno revealed another detail, saying that Anan knew Oktovianus personally.

"The suspect often received basic supplies from his victim to be shared with his family members living in Ekadide village," Bayu disclosed.

The body of Oktovianus was found on the Trans-Papua road between Enarotali and Aradide.

The Free Papua Movement (OPM) shared a video depicting Oktovianus being shot while riding his motorcycle. One of the assailants proceeded to attack him with a machete as he lay on the ground.

The assailants danced around the body before posing for a photograph.

OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom stated that at the time of the attack, it was carried out by a team led by Osea Satu Boma.

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