Kopassus commander to stand trial

JAKARTA: The Ad Hoc Human Rights Court has decided an Oct. 23 date for Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan, the commander of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus), to stand trial for his alleged role in the 1984 Tanjung Priok incident.

Judge Andi Samsan Nganro, the spokesman for the Central Jakarta District Court, which oversees the rights tribunal, said the court had set up a panel of five judges to hear Sriyanto's case.

"He is charged with crimes against humanity," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Ad hoc prosecutor Dharmono is responsible for the indictment, Andi added.

The court had earlier indicted 13 other defendants, all of whom were charged with crimes against of humanity, which carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison under Law No. 26/2000 on human rights tribunal.

They defendants are believed to be involved in the shooting of demonstrators on Sept. 12, 1984, killing at least 14 people.

Sriyanto along with Maj. Gen. (ret) Rudolph Butar-butar and Maj. Gen. (ret) Pranowo is one of the most senior officers implicated in the bloodshed. -- JP