Theys murder trial may be delayed

JAKARTA: The trial of nine members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) charged with killing Papuan leader Theys Hiyo Eluay may be delayed.

National military police chief Maj. Gen. Sulaiman A.B. said on Wednesday that his team had yet to complete the investigation.

Earlier, Sulaiman said that his team would hand over the dossiers to the military tribunal this month.

"We have to conduct a thorough investigation of the case. We will probably have to delay the handover of dossiers to the military prosecutors," Sulaiman said after attending a ceremony marking a transfer of the command baton from Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu to his successor Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo.

Sulaiman refused to reply when asked whether the military team had encountered difficulties in collecting evidence, as well as summoning witnesses.

Theys was found dead on Nov. 11, 2001, a few hours after he had attended the National Heroes' Day commemoration at the Jayapura headquarters of Kopassus.

Currently, nine Kopassus members, including Lt. Col. Hartomo, Maj. Doni Hutabarat and Capt. Rianaldo, are in military police detention. --JP