Kopassus names Hotma lawyer

JAKARTA: The Army Special Force (Kopassus) has named Hotma Sitompul as the lawyer for three of its members now under investigation in connection with the killing of Papuan proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

Hotma told The Jakarta Post he began to provide legal advice for the Kopassus officers on Wednesday. He said he met with the officers at the Military Police detention center in Gambir area, Central Jakarta.

The three men have been detained since April 10, pending the completion of their investigation. The Military Police have not yet named them as suspects in the case.

Theys was found dead a day after he attended the Heroes Day celebration at the Kopassus' Tribuana Task Force Headquarters in Jayapura on Nov. 11 last year. The government-sanctioned inquiry into the case has completed its task and is waiting for the President to summon the team to present its report. -- JP