Officers to face court for illegal military exercises<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Three Armed Forces officers will face a tribunal
\nfor allegedly organizing illegal military exercises in the East
\nJava town of Malang, provincial military commander Maj. Gen.
\nDjadja Suparman said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Djaja was quoted by Antara as saying that the military court
\nwould proceed in the hill resort town, some 90 kilometers south
\nof the province capital Surabaya. He declined to say when the
\ncase would begin.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdul Wahab Mokodongan
\nconfirmed last month that a middle-ranking officer, one sergeant
\nmajor and a sergeant were involved in the closed-door exercises
\nand a series of nightly meetings held in Malang over the past
\nseveral months.<\/p>\n
The officers were among some 60 people arrested, for alleged
\nsubversive activities, by police in separate places last month.<\/p>\n
They were also allegedly part of a group of about 100
\nfollowers of Arief Kusno Saputro, who claimed to be the
\nreincarnation of the first president Sukarno. The group called
\nitself Division X.<\/p>\n
Arief, who was among those arrested in Malang's neighboring
\ntown of Kediri, has reportedly given speeches in many areas
\nappearing in white clothes and a traditional peci cap -- attire
\noften worn by Sukarno.<\/p>\n
Djaja refused to comment on the possibility that a colonel had
\nmasterminded the illegal military training.<\/p>\n
\"We haven't gone that far because there has been no proof,\"
\nDjaja said after attending the Armed Forces anniversary
\ncelebration in Surabaya. \"We have to maintain the presumption of
\ninnocent principle.\"<\/p>\n
Sentot<\/p>\n
But he said the police were now searching for a man,
\nidentified as Sentot, who was believed to be one of the group's
\nleaders. Djaja did not provide any further information about
\nSentot.<\/p>\n
He said the military command would examine whether the so-
\ncalled Division X was linked to a bigger group.<\/p>\n
\"Investigation is now underway,\" he said. \"I'm not going to
\nconclude that the group is part of a left-wing organization.\"<\/p>\n
East Java Police Chief Maj. Gen. M. Dayat said last week that
\nmost members of the group came from Jakarta and Bekasi.<\/p>\n
Police investigators have so far seized four motorcycles, two
\ncars and one jeep, and a collection of military weapons and
\nequipment, including bayonets, Army belts and combat uniforms, as
\nmaterial evidence. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/officers-to-face-court-for-illegal-military-exercises-1447893297",
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