Soldiers interrogated over village attack

Soldiers interrogated over village attack

MAKASSAR, South: Five days after dozens of soldiers rampaged
through a village in Jeneponto regency, South Sulawesi, the
military has identified just three of the attackers.

The head of the Wirabuana Military Command overseeing Sulawesi
island, Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno, said on Sunday the three
soldiers were being interrogated by the Military Police.

He said one of the soldiers had admitted to taking part in
last Tuesday's attack on Banri Manurung village in West Bangkala
district by about 25 members of the 700th Infantry Battalion.

"He called me up and confessed to carrying out the outrageous
act, as well as apologizing to me," Arief said.

However, he said asking for forgiveness did not mean the
soldier would not be punished.

Arief said it would be difficult to identify everyone involved
in the attack, which left five villagers injured and 82 houses
damaged, because those suspects who had been identified were
reluctant to inform on their fellow soldiers.

The rampage was triggered by a rumored attack on a soldier who
reportedly hit a villager with his vehicle. -- JP