Officers detained over 'Parepos' attack

Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar

A dozen officers of the Parepare Military Resort Command's Military Police detachment in South Sulawesi have been detained here in connection with a recent attack on the offices of local daily Parepos.

Wirabuana Military Police Command chief Col. Bambang Wahyudi said on Thursday that the 12 officers were undergoing questioning in relation to charges of indiscipline under Military Police regulations.

According to eyewitnesses, at least 20 Military Police officers raided the daily's offices on April 29. They overturned tables and threw chairs around, smashed glassware, and threatened and insulted employees. They even assaulted one of the employees.

The attack followed a news report published on the same day by the daily that a Military Police officer had been involved with drugs.

When asked why only 12 of the 20 officers were detained, Bambang said that investigation indicated that only 12 personnel were directly involved in the vandalism, while the remaining eight had only arrived at the daily's office to give moral support to their colleagues. Nobody was injured in the incident.

"Eight of the 20 men were just loitering around. Only the 12 were therefore detained," Bambang said.

He added that two of his best investigators, Maj. Yakrizul and Capt. Jabbar, were personally looking into the matter.

Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ahmad Yahya has conveyed his apologies for the incident, Bambang told The Jakarta Post.

"The Commander has apologized, and has stated that the incident was wrong and unlawful. He has personally given instructions that the perpetrators be detained and that the case be investigated," Bambang said.

Meanwhile, Parepos chief editor Yasser Latief said that he was aware of the investigation into the incident.

"We have handed over whatever evidence we had to the investigators, and have also given eyewitness testimony," Yasser said.

He added that he was relieved by the fact that the Wirabuana Military commander had made sure that an investigation into the attack would be conducted.

Yasser hoped, however, that the commander would tell his troops that the media should not be dealt with by violence.

"Since Ahmad become the commander, there have been three separate incidents of ill-treatment of journalists by military personnel," Yasser said.

"I am waiting for the investigation results before I can even consider of possible legal action against the Military Police officers."