TNI rebuffs intervention in Theys murder probe<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has objected to the government's
\nintervention in its investigation into the murder of Papuan
\nleader Dortheys Hiyo Eluay.<\/p>\n
National Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Sulaiman A.B. said on
\nThursday the inquiry carried out in connection with the crime had
\nidentified three officers as suspects.<\/p>\n
Unlike the TNI's internal investigation, the government-
\nsanctioned National Inquiry Commission (KPN) has named six
\nsuspects, including the three middle-ranking officers.<\/p>\n
Sulaiman said it was not necessary for the military police to
\nuse the KPN reports as a reference.<\/p>\n
\"The KPN and the TNI investigation team have different jobs.
\nWe (the TNI) held an investigation for the sake of the legal
\nprocess, while the KPN was only assigned to examine the case.
\nThere's no regulation saying that we have to refer to the outcome
\nof KPN's investigation,\" Sulaiman said.<\/p>\n
He was speaking to reporters after a one-hour meeting with
\nCoordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono at the latter's office.<\/p>\n
KPN announced on Monday that six military officers from the
\nTribuana XI Army's Special Force (Kopassus) Task Force, on loan
\nto the Trikora Military Command in Papua, had allegedly been
\ninvolved in the murder of Theys on Nov. 11 last year.<\/p>\n
The announcement came after the KPN reported to President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri the results of its investigation.<\/p>\n
Theys, chairman of the Papua Presidium Council, was found dead
\nafter attending the National Heroes' commemoration day at the
\nKopassus compound in the Papua capital, Jayapura.<\/p>\n
Three Kopassus officers, identified only as Lt. Col. HM, Maj.
\nDH, and Capt. R are being held by the Military Police. They will
\nbe charged with the killing under Article 338 of the Criminal
\nCode, which stipulates a maximum sentence of 15 years'
\nimprisonment.<\/p>\n
Kopassus chief Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini has dismissed demands
\nfrom the lawyers of the suspects for their clients' suspension of
\ndetention. Amirul, instead, supported a 30-day extension of it.<\/p>\n
Asked why the investigation had taken so long, Sulaiman said
\nthe military investigators had faced a problem regarding the
\nprotection of witnesses.<\/p>\n
\"Two key military witnesses of the Trikora Military Command
\nhave refused to fulfill our summons, out of fear for their own
\nsafety.\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sulaiman, however, was quick to add that he had not received
\nany indication as to whether the superiors of the two witnesses
\nhad prevented them from giving their testimony.<\/p>",
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