A group of West Papuans seeking refugee in Australia, have been diverted back and dumped in Port Moresby by Australian Immigration officers yesterday.
The group of seven, which includes a woman and a 10-year old boy, left Merauke last Tuesday, after alleging being hunted by Indonesian authorities, for taking part in the Freedom Flotilla event early this month, which pushed for West Papua independence and human rights abuses.
The group had sailed to Boigu Island, and then onto Saibai Island, where they sought refuge from Australian Immigration officials.
They were then transported on to Thursday Island, were they were interviewed and detained, with a promise of being assisted into Australia.
However, boarding Australia's Customs boat the Botany Bay, the group was shipped to Horn Island, where they were quarantined and medically tested.
But their dream of a safe haven in Australia shattered, when they were flown Port Moresby, and dumped at the Jacksons International Airport last night.
The International Office of Migration has assumed responsibility of the group, housing them and feeding them since.
The group has raised fear of being persecuted if sent back, when NBC News caught up with them this morning.
Attempts to get comments from both the Australian and PNG Immigration offices, have been unsuccessful.