Officers' detention extended

JAKARTA: Army's Special Force (Kopassus) Commander Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini has approved the 30-day extension of detention of three officers alleged to have killed Papuan proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

The officers, who comprise a lieutenant colonel, a major and a captain, have been in the custody of the Military Police since April 10. They face a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

Amirul was responding to a request by National Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Sulaiman AB, who said the extension was demanded for investigation purpose. The extension became valid as of Monday.

As a result of the extension, the Military Police rejected a formal request by a team of lawyers for the Kopassus members, who demanded that their clients have their detention suspended.

"It must be clarified whether the detention of these three Kopassus officers was ordered by their superior, who is the Kopassus chief. Under military law, the investigators have no right to place the suspects in jail," lawyer Ruhut Sitompul said earlier. -- JP