SYDNEY (Radio Australia / Lateline / Pacific Media Watch): Indonesians studying in Australia are being employed as spies by the Indonesian government, claim West Papuan independence activists.
Australia's ABC Lateline programme described how three unknown men were seen filming the opening of the "Federal Republic of West Papua" office in Melbourne, and when confronted by West Papuan activists, said they worked for the Indonesian government, and would be "reporting back to Indonesian authorities".
One of the men was tracked down by ABC News, but refused to comment on allegations that he was a spy.
The programme, which can be viewed here, also investigated allegations that Indonesian spooks hacked the website of a West Papuan freedom organisation based in Australia.
According to Lateline, the Indonesian government has denied accusations that it hires students to moonlight as spooks. The embassy told the programme that Indonesian students may have attended the West Papuan events as part of their studies or for "personal interests".
But Anglican minister Rev Peter Woods said it was "well known among the activist community that this does go on", and was backed up by a number of academics who said the students "act as spies".
The Melbourne-based West Papua Media has previously told PMW that it is under constant surveillance by Indonesian spies, who operate with the blessing of the Australian government.
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