Thursday, November 19, 2015

Filep Karma released from Gaol

A high-profile Papuan separatist leader has been released from prison after more than a decade behind bars, in a fresh sign that Indonesia may be easing its tight grip on the restive eastern region.

Filep Karma, the most prominent of Papua's political prisoners and convicted of raising a pro-independence flag, walked free from jail on Thursday to an emotional welcome by hundreds of cheering supporters.

His release had been held up for months after he refused to admit guilt in line with demands from the government. 

In the end, authorities agreed to grant him a sentence remission for good behaviour, according to Human Rights Watch.

However 56-year-old Mr Karma said he had been pressured by officials to leave the jail on the outskirts of the city of Jayapura, which he said felt like home after so many years.

"When I was jailed, I had in mind that I was going to be released in 2019, and suddenly I was kicked out — so I was shocked," he said.

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