40 ABRI personnel questioned in missing activists probe

SURABAYA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif said here yesterday that the National Military Police had questioned 40 ABRI members for their alleged involvement in the abduction of activists.

Syamsul, however, did not mention the names, ranks or units of the alleged suspects.

"Now is not the time to disclose the details, we should wait for further investigation," Syamsul told reporters after attending the transfer of duty ceremony of former Navy chief of staff Adm. Arief Kushariadi to Vice Adm. Widodo A.S.

Syamsul said the Armed Forces special investigation team would continue the investigation to look for further evidence of military personnel involvement.

Syamsul asserted that the Armed Forces would also continue cooperating with the National Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) who are also investigating the case.

"ABRI will closely follow the investigation and accept all suggestions including from the rights body and Kontras. We are determined to investigate the case thoroughly," Syamsul added.

When asked to comment on whether the motive behind the abductions had already been uncovered, Syamsul replied that only the courts should make such a revelation.

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Monday that some members of the military were involved in the abductions of political activists.

Wiranto's admission was welcomed by human rights campaigners, but they demanded that the matter be immediately followed up by a public disclosure on the mastermind behind the abductions.

They believe that the Armed Forces has identified the mastermind, the motive and places of captivity.

Pressure has mounted on the Armed Forces to speed up its investigation of the kidnappings after increasing public speculation that its members were responsible for the abduction of dozens of activists, most of whom disappeared in the run-up to the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly in March.

Some of those missing have since reappeared.

Kontras, however, has reported that at least 12 are still missing. (nur/byg)