KPN ready to reveal identity of suspects

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government-sanctioned National Investigation Commission (KPN) has completed its investigation into the killing of Papuan proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay and claims it is ready to submit its report to President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

While insisting that the murder was purely a crime, KPN chairman Koesparmono Irsan told reporters on Monday that the team would also suggest that the President order a separate investigation into the disappearance of a key witness in the case, Theys' driver Aristoteles Masoka.

"The investigation into Theys' killing has been completed, but the missing of Aristoteles should also be investigated. I have ordered KPN's field assistance team in Irian Jaya to find Aristoteles' whereabouts," he said.

He added that further reports from the assistance team, which comprises local prosecutors, military police and the police, may be added to the final report.

Koesparmono, who is member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said the report includes the testimonies of two groups of civilian witnesses who helped the commission identify suspects in the killing.

The first group comprises six people who witnessed both Theys and Aristoteles arrive and leave the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) Tribuana task force compound on Jl. Hamadi, Jayapura, while other group comprises four people who claimed to be around the Entrope area near the border with Papua New Guinea where Theys was abducted by unidentified assailants.

None of the witnesses, whose identities are being withheld, recognized the alleged culprits, Koesparmono said.

"Three of them are in police protection, and as far as I know they have not been intimidated or threatened," he sad.

Theys, chairman of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP), was found dead inside his car one day after attending a Heroes Day celebration at the Tribuana headquarters on Nov. 11 last year.

The investigation revealed that Aristoteles was seen being brought back to the headquarters in a minivan and needing assistance in walking.

An Indonesian Military (TNI) internal investigation has implicated three of the task force members in the killing. TNI officials said the three could be charged with insubordination.