FBI starts inquiry into Freeport attack
Nethy Dharma Somba and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Jakarta
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has insisted that none of its members were involved in the killing of two American citizens and an Indonesian in the Aug. 31, 2002 Timika, Papua ambush.
Meanwhile, the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has began its investigation into the incident.
TNI Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto lashed out at the results concluded by the police investigation into the case -- which implicates the military -- saying according to TNI's own investigation, there was no indication of military involvement in the shooting.
He did, however, admit that he could understand why the police would accuse soldiers after the testimony of a man named Decky Murib, a former Army informant, and the death of a suspected Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebel -- who the TNI originally blamed -- before the attack took place.
"But, how can we believe testimony from a 'rebel', especially as he has now gone missing," he said, most likely referring to Decky, in a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I on defense and foreign affairs here on Tuesday.
The military has blamed the shooting on OPM rebels, one of whom they claimed was shot by the TNI a few hours after the incident, Elly Murib, no relation to Decky, but autopsies showed Elly was shot before the ambush took place.
Several nongovernmental organizations, including Elsam Papua, have accused the military in the bloody attack due to many factors, including Decky's accounts, the location of the attack, which was heavily guarded by elite soldiers from the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) and Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad), as well as other items they suspected.
Sutarto added that the FBI was carrying out its own investigation at TNI's invitation.
In Jayapura, newly installed Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Budi Utomo, said a seven-member FBI team had already begun work in Timika.
"The team is allowed to interrogate anyone they want to, but it must be done using police and military helpers," he said.