Alex Bless

Detainees
Affiliation
  • WPNGNC
Gender
Male
Age when first arrested
45
Age group when first arrested
25-64 (adult)
Date of arrest
Nov 27, 2022
Place of origin
Sorong Regency
Occupation
  • Worker
Reason of arrest
  • Demo
  • Flag raising
Arrested by (Institution)
  • Police
Arrested by (Unit)
  • Polresta Manokwari
Type of violation
  • Arbitrary Arrest
  • Denial of Freedom of Assembly
  • Denial of Freedom of Expression
Inconsistent article(s) accused
No
Article(s) during arrest
  • Article 106 Criminal Code
Article(s) in indictment
  • Article 106 jo. Article 55 (1) Criminal Code
  • Article 110 (2) jo. Article 106 Criminal Code
  • Article 160 jo. Article 55 (1) Criminal Code
Article(s) in prosecution
  • Article 106 jo. Article 55 (1) Criminal Code
Article(s) in verdict
  • Article 106 jo. Article 55 (1) Criminal Code
Final sentence
> 3-5 years
Exact sentence
4 years
Date of sentencing
Oct 12, 2023
Consecutive detentions
Yes
Place of the first detention
Polresta Manokwari
Place of imprisonment
Lapas Kelas I Makassar
Concerns reported
  • Arbitrary arrest
  • Legal procedure
  • Tried outside West Papua
Current status
  • Released
Date of release
Aug 2, 2025
Sources

Jubi.id | Republika.co.id | Kompas.com | Suarakakiabu.com | District Court Verdict | Provincial Court Verdict | LBH Kaki Abu | SIPP PN Makassar

Additional description

Manokwari police arrested 15 people who were commemorating the anniversary of West Papua New Guinea (WPNG) at Wosi Terminal, Manokwari, on 27 November 2022. Three of them - Adolof Nauw, Yance Kambuaya, Alex Bless - were later named as suspects for treason.

The prosecutors sought a 5-year prison sentence for the defendant. The district court judges found the defendant guilty of treason and sentenced him to 4 years' imprisonment on 21 August 2023. The defendant's lawyer appealed the verdict to the Makassar High Court, but in October 2023 the High Court decided to uphold the lower court's decision.

On 2 August 2025 Adolof Nauw, Yance Kambuaya, Alex Bless, were reported to have been released due to a government amnesty.

Related detention facility

Latitude: -0.8728427225588709

Longitude: 134.07941016428933

Related detention facility (linked Detainees)
Polresta Manokwari
Lapas Kelas I Makassar
Related event
  • Commemoration of West Papua New Guinea Independence Day (2022)