TNI investigators begin Maluku probe

AMBON, Maluku: A fact-finding team from the Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters began a probe on Monday into recent clashes involving civilians and an Army joint battalion.

The five-member team, led by Col. Hawas Muin, a military police officer, arrived in Ambon on Saturday.

"We are now still in the phase of questioning witnesses and victims of the June 14 incident," Hawas said, adding that an independent legal team, coordinated by Mahendra Data, accompanied the witnesses and victims during the questioning.

The TNI fact-finding team also planned to question members of the joint battalion.

At least 20 people were killed in a series of clashes between June 12 and June 14 in the Galunggung and Kebon Cengkih area after military personnel had allegedly planned to raid a health clinic run by the jihad force. (49)