WEST Papuan independence advocates have accused Indonesian police chief Untung Sangaji of the torture and killing of peaceful activist Kristianus Yandum, who died on Saturday.

The National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) said Mr Yandum was among 13 of its members arrested on December 13 for merely sitting in front of its offices.

Mr Sangaji denied that the death occurred through torture and said Mr Yandum died in hospital from a congenital disease after receiving treatment there for several weeks.