Soldiers aided gang in Ambon

Soldiers aided gang in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar
admitted on Saturday that Army Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers
had been involved in helping a local Christian youth gang, Coker,
disrupt security in Maluku recently.

Da'i said on Saturday that detained Coker gang leader Berty
Loupatty had mentioned the name of some Kopassus officers who had
assisted the group, which was involved in a number of bombings
and shootings before and after a peace deal was signed between
the Christian and Muslim communities in February last year.

"Individual Kopassus members rather than the institution were
involved in supported the Coker gang," Da'i said during a working
visit to Ambon.

He refused to give any names.

Da'i also said that Berty, who is now in police custody, would
be charged with various offenses, including involvement in
bombings and assault.

The role of Kopassus personnel was revealed by Berty's lawyer,
who said that some Coker members had told the police that
Kopassus soldiers had given them instructions, weapons and bombs
to carry out attacks last year. --Antara