The suspect, identified by his initials as MB, was apprehended at Jalan Gunung in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo district, around 4:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, he added.
Fakhiri said he had ordered Yahukimo police investigators to transfer the suspect from Dekai to the Papua Police headquarters in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, for questioning.
MB was arrested after investigators grilled several witnesses and 22 suspects in connection with the clash that occurred between members of Yali and Kimyal tribal groups, he added. Six people died and 41 others were wounded in the violence, he said.
According to Kompas.com, during the tribal clash that was triggered by the death of ex-Yahukimo district head Abock Busup at a hotel in Jakarta, rioters torched seven homes and 16 vehicles.
Ten of the 41 injured victims were evacuated to Jayapura's Dok II Public Hospital for intensive treatment, the report said. The violence forced 3,609 residents to seek refuge in a local church and police and military compounds, it added.
Yahukimo police seized several items of evidence, including two minibuses and traditional weapons used by the rioters.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
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