Six soldiers to stand trial for shooting
Six soldiers to stand trial for shooting
JAKARTA (JP): Three high-ranking officers and three soldiers
will stand trial on Monday for suspected involvement in the
shooting of West Kalimantan demonstrators in April, Antara
reported yesterday.
The news agency quoted unnamed sources identifying the six
only as Capt. Su, First Lt. Za, Second Lt. Si, First Sgt. JM,
First Sgt. WS and First Sgt. NP. The military tribunal proceeding
will be open to public.
When investigations over the shooting, which led to the death
of one person, started, 26 soldiers were arrested. Commander of
the Alambanawai military resort Col. Zainuri Hasyim said later in
the capital city Pontianak that further investigation revealed
only 12 were actually involved; the others were released.
However, "even further and more intensive investigation later
decided that only six will be brought to court, the remaining six
will be punished for indisciplinary actions", Zainuri said.
The Ngabang case started with the alleged abduction and
torture of a resident named Jining on April 5 by 10 Armed Forces
soldiers following a minor road accident.
Two days later, over 2,000 angry residents stormed onto the
streets after hearing a rumor that Jining had died in the hands
of his abductors.
A regional military chief, Maj. Gen. Namoeri Anom, said
recently that the troops acted in self-defense after the mob
attacked the Ngabang military headquarters. One protester was
shot dead and four others injured during the incident.
Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have accused the
military of committing human rights violations.
Zainuri has also said that the military has complied with
Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung's instruction to take
stern action against those involved in the shooting.
Zainuri said he does not object to the National Commission on
Human Rights' reported plan to investigate the case. "We'll be
ready. We will provide them with the necessary data," he said.
He pointed out that there should be enough proof of the
military's openness in the fact that the soldiers will be tried
in an open court.
Some NGOs recently urged the human rights commission to
investigate the shooting by visiting those injured in the
incident. Activists claimed that 15 demonstrators were injured
when soldiers opened fire on the crowd. (swe)