Kopassus chiefs might be probed

Kopassus chiefs might be probed

JAKARTA (JP): The ongoing investigation into the abductions of
political activists will not stop at the current seven Army
special force (Kopassus) suspects as the unit's former commanders
might also be questioned.

Maj. Gen. Syamsu Djalal, commander of the National Military
Police Corps, said yesterday that the seven suspects' testimony
might lead to the interrogation of former Kopassus commanders who
were in charge at the time of the abductions.

Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto headed the force for nearly two
years until March 29 this year and was replaced by Maj. Gen.
Muchdi Purwopranjono, who served in the post until May 25.

"Just wait for the results of the investigation into the seven
suspects," Syamsu told reporters at his office yesterday. "Their
testimony will reveal the person who gave them orders to kidnap
the activists," he said.

Five special forces officers are currently in military police
custody, while another two are under intensive investigation in
connection with a series of abductions of political activists
over the past year.

The military police chief, however, declined to mention their
names or their ranks.

However he admitted that one of the seven suspects was a
senior officer.

Informed source have said the seven include one captain, one
major, two colonels and a general, without specifying the
general's precise rank.

Surabaya Post daily report cited Col. Chairiawan, the chief of
Kopassus' Group IV which deals with intelligence operations, as
one of the suspects.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif said early
Tuesday morning that the special forces members were involved in
the kidnappings of Pius Lustrilanang, Desmond J. Mahesa, Haryanto
Taslam, Andi Arief, Feisal Reza and Raharjo Waluyo Jati, and the
detention of Nezar Patria, Aan Rusdiyanto and Mugiyanto.

All have been released, including Andi who was freed
yesterday.

Many of them were kidnapping around February and mid-March.

Several of the abductions were believed to be connected with
efforts to seek information on possible rallies or disturbances
around the time of the plenary session of the People's
Consultative Assembly.

Syamsu said he had already obtained uniforms and equipment,
including face masks, used during the kidnappings that belong to
the elite unit and will use them as evidence in the courts-
martial.

"All of the evidence is included in the dossiers that we are
now preparing," Syamsu, who also leads the Armed Forces' fact-
finding team into the abductions, said.

He dismissed speculation that he would have difficulty
questioning high-ranking military officers, especially his
seniors.

"I will ask the Armed Forces (ABRI) commander's permission to
question a high-ranking military officer," he said.

"However it won't necessarily be myself who will conduct the
investigation as it would be satisfactory if a medium-ranking
officer questions a high-ranking military officer," he added.

The military police have questioned 43 people, including 20
members of the Armed Forces.

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence
(Kontras), at one stage, had a list of 21 activists who had
disappeared. Twelve are still listed as missing.

Deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights
Marzuki Darusman called yesterday for a massive investigation
into the missing activists.

"The suspects' testimony will help ABRI locate the whereabouts
of the activists who are still missing," Marzuki told The Jakarta
Post.

"Andi Arief's testimony will be of great help to reconstruct
the abduction of the activists," he said, adding that there
should be no reason to delay the release of those still being
held.

"All of the missing activists must be released in the near
future," he said.

He believed that the Armed Forces headquarters would follow up
the announcement of the Kopassus members' involvement with
credible action.

"People will then have no doubt about ABRI's seriousness in
handling the case of the missing activists. All impressions that
ABRI has been defensive while dealing with such a case will
disappear," he added. (imn/byg)