DPRD backs independent probe into They's murder<\/p>\n
R.K. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura<\/p>\n
The Irian Jaya provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) approved on
\nFriday several demands by a local separatist group, including the
\nestablishment of an independent team consisting of both
\nIndonesians and foreigners to investigate the death of top rebel
\nleader Theys Hiyo Eluay.<\/p>\n
In a plenary session presided over by Legislative Council
\nDeputy Speaker Ben Vincen Djeharu, the legislature also backed
\nthe rebel Papuan Presidium Council (PDP)'s opposition to the
\ndeployment of additional troops in the troubled province.<\/p>\n
The meeting, also attended by PDP leader Welly Mandowin,
\nrecommended that the provincial administration protect indigenous
\nresidents from further attacks and violence.<\/p>\n
The Presidium submitted the demands to the Legislative Council
\non Nov. 12, one day after Theys was found dead in his car. Theys
\nhad been reportedly kidnapped on his way home from attending a
\nmilitary function at a Kopassus (Army special forces) base in
\nJayapura on Nov. 11.<\/p>\n
After three weeks of investigation, Theys' death remains a
\nmystery and Theys' driver Aristoteles Masoka is still missing.<\/p>\n
It was Aristoteles who called Theys' wife, reporting that a
\ngroup of unknown people had attacked him and Theys minutes after
\nthey left the dinner party.<\/p>\n
Suspicions have grown that Theys, the PDP chairman, was
\nmurdered by Indonesian troops or by rebels from a rival faction.<\/p>\n
Welly said on Friday an independent team, which would comprise
\nof local and foreign figures, was urgently needed to solve the
\nincident and restore the Irian Jaya people's trust in the
\ngovernment, adding that investigators could comprise foreign
\nparties.<\/p>\n
He lauded the council's approval of the PDP's demands as a
\npositive move in promoting democracy and human rights in
\nIndonesia's easternmost province of Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
The government has said it had formed a joint team consisting
\nof police and military officials to probe the death of Theys,
\nknown for his non-violent measures in achieving his goals.<\/p>\n
The team has so far questioned a number of witnesses, and has
\nclaimed to have found clues to the murder.<\/p>\n
Those summoned for questioning included the chief of Irian
\nJaya's military task force, Lt. Col. Hartomo, and seven of his
\nsubordinates, all from the Kopassus.<\/p>\n
Sources in the Irian Jaya police said the probe into the
\nKopassus troops was crucial to confirming the testimonies of key
\nwitnesses.<\/p>\n
Welly also said the PDP agreed not to stage a rally marking
\nthe anniversary of the Papuan (Irian Jaya) self-proclaimed
\nindependence on Dec. 1, but said his group would instead hold a
\nsolemn religious service to pray for Theys at his family's house.<\/p>\n
\"There will be no a special celebration because we are still
\nmourning,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the government promised to form an independent team,
\nwhose members include police and military officers, to unravel
\nThey's alleged murder.<\/p>\n
Religious leaders from Papua have also urged the National
\nCommission on Human Rights, or the Komnas HAM, to launch an
\nindependent investigation into the killing.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dprd-backs-independent-probe-into-theys-murder-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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