Seven policemen to go on trial for Maluku killings

Muhammad Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku

Seven police officers will go on trial at the Ambon District Court for the killing of two civilians during the 1999-2002 sectarian conflict.

Fauzi Marabessy of the Ambon Prosecutor's Office said on Saturday that the local attorney's office had handed over the dossiers of the seven suspects to the court and they would stand trial soon.

Jimmi Christian Samma, Matheos Sarimolle and Anthony Siwabessy face murder charges for their alleged involvement in the killing of Syaiful Ibrahim, a resident of Batumerah subdistrict in Ambon. The remaining four -- Rusman Alfat, Jusuf Baadu and Izak Kaitjili -- will be charged with involvement in the killing of another civilian during a trip from Lease Island to Ambon.

There was no detailed information about the killings. Maluku Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Endro Prasetyo said that the police had strong evidence against the suspects.

A number of security officers have been jailed for involvement in similar cases during the conflict.

More than 5,000 people were killed and more than 75,000 others displaced during the bloody conflict, which first broke out on Jan. 19, 1999. Some people are still staying in refuge camps for fear that fresh violence will break out since the condition in some areas has yet to return to normal.

Meanwhile, authorities in Ambon said that 6,000 Muslim families who are still taking refuge in Baguala Bay would gradually be sent back to their home villages in Poka and Rumahtiga districts.

Baguala Bay district chief Yan Haumase said on the weekend that 240 families would be sent back home early this week in the first phase.

"They have to be sent back home because the houses they have occupied for more than four years will be returned to their owners. They will receive financial assistance to rebuild their houses," said, adding that they took refuge after their houses were burned down on July 24, 1999.

Haumase said that the local police and military had given assurances that they would protect the people after they left the refuge camps.