Hamami visits 17 suspects in Trisakti scene

JAKARTA (JP): Former City Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata visited the 17 suspects of the Trisakti shooting incident at Military Police Headquarters in Guntur, South Jakarta, yesterday to give them his support.

The 17 officers are scheduled to face a military tribunal today for their alleged involvement in the shootings which killed four Trisakti University students during a demonstration on May 12.

"How are you doing, son?" Hamami asked one of the officers, First Lt. Agus. "I'm fine, sir," the man replied.

"How's your family?" Agus answered: "Fine, but my wife is due to give birth soon, sir."

Hamami then hugged the officer and said: "You have to be strong. God bless you.

"Remember, you have to take care of yourself. Your fight is still to come. Be honest, be true to yourself. Dare to live.

"I know that being a cop is not an easy thing. We are soldiers. We can and we must survive through this. No matter how hard the trials and burdens are, we have to live with them," he said.

The detained security personnel, in obvious low spirits, seemed to try to put a good face on the situation as the general walked around and greeted them.

The 17 men, detained since last Saturday, have been identified as first lieutenants AH, WR, SR and ATH; second lieutenants PY, EKS and BY; second sergeants DP, JE, TI, AY, CN and PD; and privates ST, SP, LS and IM.

Joining yesterday's 30-minute visit were Jakarta Military Police Commander Col. Hendardji, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang, City Police On-the-Alert Unit commander Col. Arthur Damanik, City Police Internal Affairs Chief Lt. Col. Mustafa and City Police Law Agency Chief Col. Iman Sardjono.

West Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Timur Pradopo, who is also charged over the same incident, was not among the 17 men detained at Guntur.

When asked about Timur's whereabouts, Hendardji refused to comment. "I'm not answering this one question," he said with a smile.

Hendardji said today's hearing would be the first of a series of hearings open to the public in the court-martial, which could last up to two months.

A reliable source said that the lawyers defending the suspects included Adnan Buyung Nasution, O.C. Kaligis, Otto Hasibuan, Moh. Assegaff, Rudhy A. Lontoh, Hotman Paris Hutapea, Denny Kailimang and Purwaning Yanuar. (edt)