Military police take over STABO case

Fri, 17 Oct 2003, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

JAKARTA: The Military Police Command has taken over from the
Army the investigation into the death of eight Army Special
Forces (Kopassus) soldiers during a rehearsal for the Indonesian
Military anniversary celebration in Aceh on Oct. 4.

Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Sulaeman AB said on
Thursday he had appointed Col. Suratno to lead the probe, which
could lead to prosecution.

The Kopassus soldiers died after they plunged from a
helicopter in waters off Lhokseumawe in North Aceh while
conducting a stabilized tactical airborne operation (STABO)
maneuver. The harness they were hanging onto from the helicopter
when the helicopter became unstable in a gust of wind.

The helicopter was hovering at 600 feet above sea level at the
time.

Sulaeman said the investigation would focus on whether the
decision to cut the harness was justified. -- JP

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