42 people named suspects in Ciamis killing spree

42 people named suspects in Ciamis killing spree

JAKARTA (JP): Police named on Saturday 42 people as suspects
involved in the Ciamis killing spree in West Java, which has
claimed at least 18 deaths.

"The 42 suspects varied in their involvement in the killings.
Some admit to being executioners, some are accomplices to the
murders and some are the ones who hired the killers," Priangan
Police chief Col. Bahrunsyah said on Saturday.

The suspects have been detained at Ciamis Police station, some
130 kilometers southeast of here, since a full investigation of
the killings began last week.

In a related development, Agus S. of the Commission for
Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) revealed the
result of a meeting between Kontras and National Police chief
Gen. Roesmanhadi on Friday afternoon.

He said police would take serious measures to control the
terror and stop the killings.

"We have submitted data about killers who have not been turned
in. We also provided details of interviews with suspected
murderers. It is up to the police and Gen. Wiranto now," Agus
said on Saturday.

Kontras has interviewed six suspected murderers. Despite
confessing to the crimes, they continued to roam the villages.

At the meeting, Kontras tipped off the police, providing names
of officials suspected of involvement in the killings.

"We believe police knew this from the beginning but could do
little because of the involvement of certain Armed Forces
officials."

Local authorities admitted that bodies had been discovered
since last October, while reports of executions have been made
since January.

Agus said the Kontras team in Sukabumi faced difficulties
gathering data as the situation in the Ciamis area was constantly
changing.

"On Saturday afternoon we heard that residents were
intimidated by some army officials. Ugly rumors of killers on the
loose have been circulating. People are still terrified."
(edt)