Koppasus verdict slated for April 6

Koppasus verdict slated for April 6

JAKARTA (JP): A judge at the Jakarta Military Court said on
Tuesday the court will hand down on April 6 the verdict against
11 Army Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers charged with abducting
political activists.

Presiding Judge Col. Susanto set the date after chief military
prosecutor Col. Harom Wijaya rebutted the defense argument that
the court should drop all charges against the defendants.

"The defendants are charged with depriving people of freedom
under Article 333 of the Criminal Code," Harom told the military
court in Klender, East Jakarta.

Col. Rettob Abdullah, who heads the defense team, had said in
an earlier hearing that "the setting up of the Rose Team within
Kopassus and its duties were ... solely for the interest of the
country and the nation".

The Rose Team leader, Maj. Bambang Kristiono, said in a
previous court session that he had set up the team in July 1997
to arrest "radical groups" suspected of plotting to sabotage the
General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly in March
1998.

Bambang and the other defendants -- seven captains and three
sergeants -- admitted to involvement in the abductions of Pius
Lustrilanang, Desmon J. Mahesa, Haryanto Taslam, Feisol Reza,
Raharjo Waluyo Djati, Aan Rusdianto, Nezar Patria, Mugianto and
Andi Arief.

The nine were among 23 activists reportedly abducted by
unidentified men beginning April 1997. They resurfaced after a
few weeks later and spoke of abduction and torture. One other
activist was found dead and 13 others are still listed as
missing.

Bambang said he reported the information gathered from the
activists to his superior, then Group Commander Col. Chairawan of
Kopassus. At the time, the force was headed by Soeharto's son-in-
law, Prabowo Subianto.

Prosecutor Harom has demanded jail sentences of between 15
months and 26 months for the defendants.

Harom also demanded the court discharge Bambang and the seven
captains from the Armed Forces (ABRI). (byg)