Army chief ready to face questioning
JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto accepted on Monday calls for him to face questioning for his responsibility in the murder of Aceh traditional Muslim leader Tengku Bantaqiah in July last year.
But Endriartono reminded that the human rights case had already been closed after a joint civilian-military court sentenced 24 soldiers and a civilian in May this year.
"However, if some people are unhappy with the verdict and ask me to share responsibility for the murder, I am ready to face the trial," Endriartono told The Jakarta Post.
Endriartono was responding to comments by the deputy director of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI) Munir who said that Endriartono should be held accountable for the murder of Bantaqiah as well as Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, who was Indonesian Military (TNI) chief at the time. Endriartono was the assistant for operational affairs to the TNI chief of general affairs when the mass killings took place.
"Many cases in Aceh, mostly crimes against humanity, have not been probed transparently, such as the murder of the traditional ulama Bantaqiah," Munir said outside the Conference of Asian and Latin American Lawyers on Monday.
Bantaqiah, the principal of Babul Mukaromah Islamic boarding school in Beutong Ateuh, some 80 kilometers from West Aceh regency capital, Meulaboh, was shot dead along with 31 of his followers, by troops of the Lilawangsa Military command. Another 23 students, who were wounded, were allegedly killed on the way to the hospital. Three other people are missing and presumed dead.
Ten members of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), including the highest ranking officer Capt. Anton Yuliantoro, and a civilian were sentenced to 8.5 years in jail.
Fourteen soldiers from Bukit Barisan Military Command were sent to jail for nine to ten years.
The defendants' lawyer, as well as those who criticized the trial, said the defendants were only carrying out orders from their superiors.
Many observers questioned the fairness of the trial, citing the absence of key suspect Lt. Col. Sudjono, who remains at large, and incumbent Lilawangsa Military Commander Col. Syafnil Armen.
Munir said if Indonesia would cope with separatism in Aceh, all crimes against humanity in Aceh should be brought to the court to fulfill the demands for justice raised by Aceh people.
"Army chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto is the person most responsible for the murders due to his position," Munir said.
The assistant for operations to TNI chief of general affairs is responsible for troop deployment and every plan and implementation of military operations.
Endriartono admitted the military attack on Bantaqiah boarding school was premeditated, but he noted that TNI headquarters had warned against violations of the law.
"I agree that anyone who commits crimes should be punished. We don't have to hide the offenses," Endriartono said.
Nevertheless, Endriartono said he had no idea of the whereabouts of Sudjono. He also denied that Sudjono was being protected by TNI.
"If only I could find him and shoot him myself, I would be glad," Endriartono said. (02)