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