Military Police has yet to file abductors' dossiers

BANDUNG (JP): Military investigators have failed to meet their promise of submitting to the military tribunal, by the end of last week, the dossiers of 11 Army's Special Force (Kopassus) soldiers suspected of involvement in the abductions of political activists.

Military police chief Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin said here on Sunday: "We have yet to submit the suspects' dossiers because they still need the final touches."

"What would be the use of submitting incomplete dossiers? They would certainly be refused by the court. And if the incomplete dossiers are returned the public would certainly protest and go on a frenzy," he added.

Djasri was here to accompany Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo at a seminar on ABRI's civic mission in agriculture at the Center for Military Police Education.

Asked when the dossiers would be completed and handed over to the tribunal, Djasri answered quickly: "I don't know. I cannot set a date and I won't disappoint the public over the abduction case."

Following his swearing-in as new ABRI military police chief to replace Maj. Gen. Syamsu Djalaludin in Jakarta two weeks ago, Djasri pledged to submit the dossiers by the end of last week.

Marzuki Darusman, deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, said earlier that the dossiers were scheduled to be completed and submitted to the military tribunal on Oct. 20, while trials were expected to commence on Nov. 3.

Djasri declined to say whether the dossiers had been signed by kidnapped activists who had resurfaced.

At least 23 activists were abducted over the last two years for their criticism of former president Soeharto's New Order government. Nine have been released while the others' whereabouts are unclear.

The nine who have been reunited with their families are Pius Lustrilanang, Desmon J. Mahesa, Rahardjo Waluyo Djati, Faisol Riza, Nezar Patria, Mugianto, Aan Rusdianto, Andi Arief and Haryanto Taslam.

Other missing persons being sought by the independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) include Deddy Hamdun, Noval Alkatiri, Ismail, Suyat, Petrus Bima Anugrah, Yani Afri, Sonny, Ucok Munandar Siahaan, Hendra Hambali, M. Yusuf, Y. Muhidin, Triyono and Wiji Thukul.

Another activist, Leonardus Gilang Nugroho Iskandar, was found dead in Magetan, East Java. (rms)