Buchtar Tabuni was allegedly beaten and kicked as he refused to wait in a holding cell shortly before a scheduled testimony hearing for his trial on subversion charges in the Jayapura District Court.

One of his lawyers, Peter Ell, says Mr Tabuni refused because he was being denied the chance of talking with his legal team.

Mr Tabuni, who is charged in relation to organising recent demonstrations, was left with serious wounds and back injuries and needed hospital attention.
Mr Ell says the hearing was eventually cancelled because an expert witness failed to appear.