80 soldiers quizzed about abuses in Aceh

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.