Soldier tried for Timika shooting

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A member of the Army's Special Force appeared in the local military tribunal on Thursday charged with the fatal shooting of 16 people in Timika airport in April 1996 Antara reported yesterday.

The soldier, an second lieutenant in the infantry allegedly opened fire on the April 15 1996. Ten other people were injured in the incident.

Among the victims include his superior Lt. Col. Adel and three fellow members of the elite force, three members of the 752nd Battalion, a member of the 328th Battalion, two employees of PT Freeport Indonesia and two employees of PT Airfast charter company, one of whom is an Australian citizen.

The defendant had led one of the units that helped in the freeing of hostages, including some Europeans, captured by separatist rebels in Irian Jaya early last year.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant was frustrated because he was unhappy with some of the assignments he had been given, such as building a helipad, market and football field in Irian Jaya hinterland.

He failed to perform to expectations and was reassigned to Timika without any specific post. The defendant also stole Rp 800,000 from a first private in Timika. (emb)