Military police take over STABO case

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