Army officers linked to illegal logging

JAKARTA: The Army has started its investigation into officers allegedly involved in illegal logging in Papua province.

Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Djoko Santoso said on Wednesday a middle-ranking military officer, Capt. Kaspar, had been named a suspect, while two other officers were currently undergoing interrogation by a joint military-police investigation team.

"The Army, however. plays a minor role in the widespread illegal logging," Djoko said.

Kaspar was the deputy head of a military police unit in Papua.

A number of police and navy officers have been arrested in connection with illegal logging activities since a crackdown against the practice began in February. -- JP