Rights groups: Escalating intimidation, threats, ahead of high-profile treason verdict in Indonesia

Papuan Students holding a protest in Jakarta on June 15, 2020, demanding the government to free seven Papuan protesters ahead of their verdicts on Wednesday (June 17), charged with treason for their involvement in anti-racism protests in 2019. - AFP

JAKARTA (Reuters): Rights groups in Indonesia have complained of escalating intimidation and security threats in the run-up to the verdict in a high-profile treason trial against seven West Papuans that is expected on Wednesday (June 17).

Papuan demands for independence or greater autonomy is among the most sensitive topics in Indonesia, but campaigners said the latest intimidation reflects a worsening political atmosphere across the archipelago of 270 million people.