40 ABRI personnel questioned in missing activists probe<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul
\nMa'arif said here yesterday that the National Military Police had
\nquestioned 40 ABRI members for their alleged involvement in the
\nabduction of activists.<\/p>\n
Syamsul, however, did not mention the names, ranks or units of
\nthe alleged suspects.<\/p>\n
\"Now is not the time to disclose the details, we should wait
\nfor further investigation,\" Syamsul told reporters after
\nattending the transfer of duty ceremony of former Navy chief of
\nstaff Adm. Arief Kushariadi to Vice Adm. Widodo A.S.<\/p>\n
Syamsul said the Armed Forces special investigation team would
\ncontinue the investigation to look for further evidence of
\nmilitary personnel involvement.<\/p>\n
Syamsul asserted that the Armed Forces would also continue
\ncooperating with the National Commission on Human Rights and the
\nCommission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
\nwho are also investigating the case.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI will closely follow the investigation and accept all
\nsuggestions including from the rights body and Kontras. We are
\ndetermined to investigate the case thoroughly,\" Syamsul added.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment on whether the motive behind the
\nabductions had already been uncovered, Syamsul replied that only
\nthe courts should make such a revelation.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
\nWiranto said on Monday that some members of the military were
\ninvolved in the abductions of political activists.<\/p>\n
Wiranto's admission was welcomed by human rights campaigners,
\nbut they demanded that the matter be immediately followed up by a
\npublic disclosure on the mastermind behind the abductions.<\/p>\n
They believe that the Armed Forces has identified the
\nmastermind, the motive and places of captivity.<\/p>\n
Pressure has mounted on the Armed Forces to speed up its
\ninvestigation of the kidnappings after increasing public
\nspeculation that its members were responsible for the abduction
\nof dozens of activists, most of whom disappeared in the run-up to
\nthe General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly in
\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Some of those missing have since reappeared.<\/p>\n
Kontras, however, has reported that at least 12 are still
\nmissing. (nur\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/40-abri-personnel-questioned-in-missing-activists-probe-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}