80 soldiers quizzed about abuses in Aceh

BANDA ACEH: Military police have been investigating 80 soldiers, eight of them officers, for various violations during the first six months of martial law in Aceh.

Aceh-based Iskandar Muda Military commander Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya said on Monday the military personnel would face and had received punishment, including being discharged from the corps.

"We cannot tolerate the violations, as we have made the commitment to win the trust of the people," Endang said during the ceremony to observe the military command's 47th anniversary here.

The violations varied, including backing illegal businesses, car smuggling from Sabang free trade zone, extortion, violence against civilians, robbery and desertion, Endang, who is also the martial law administrator, said.

Aceh Military Police chief Col. Maman Suparman said most of the cases had been investigated since the start of martial law on May 19. He said the most serious violation was robbery.

Separately, spokesman for the military operation in Aceh Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said the military had killed 128 rebels over the past month.