TNI top brass give moral support to officers tried
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In a show of solidarity, a number of Indonesian Military (TNI) top brass turned up in force at the human rights tribunal on Tuesday to give moral support to their soldiers as they were being tried for crimes against humanity.
Despite the fact that TNI Chief Adm. Widodo A.S., Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and their entourage occupied most of the courtroom, the military leaders fell short of interfering in the trial.
"As the TNI chief who holds command of responsibilities, I have to provide moral support to the soldiers -- I have no intention of meddling with the legal process, as I want the trial to proceed fairly," Widodo said at a press conference after presiding judge Cicut Sutiarso adjourned the session until next Monday.
He maintained that the defendants were merely carrying out their duties when the alleged crimes took place.
"Therefore, my presence as the TNI chief to offer moral and legal support for the soldiers is a must," Widodo said.
Also present were TNI Inspector General Vice Adm. Bernard Sondakh; TNI Academy Commander Vice Marshal Chappy Hakim; newly- installed TNI Military Police Chief Maj. Gen. Sulaiman A.B., and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo.
Among other prominent audience figures was TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, one of the top officers questioned in connection with the East Timor atrocities.
The landmark human rights trial is being held at the Central Jakarta District Court.
In addition to the privilege of having a security escort, the cars of the TNI top brass were allowed to occupy the parking area belonging to the Central Jakarta District Court's leaders.
It was the opening session for four members of the military and one policeman accused of committing gross human rights violations in the destruction of the St. Ave Maria church in September 1999 in Suai.
At least 27 people were killed in the attack, including Catholic priests Tarsisius Dewanto, Hilario Madeira, and Francisco Soares.
The defendants, former Covalima regent Col. Herman Sedyono; former Suai military commander Lt. Col. Liliek Koeshadianto; his successor, Lt. Col. Sugito; former Suai military command chief of staff Capt. Achmad Syamsudin, and former Suai Police precinct chief Lt. Col. Gatot Subiaktoro, were charged with violations of Articles 7, 9, 37 and 42 of Law No. 26/2000 of the rights tribunal.
The crimes carry sentences ranging from 10 years' imprisonment to the death penalty.
"As superiors in charge at the time, the defendants failed to control their troops who, along with five other pro-Jakarta militias, destroyed the St. Ave Maria church.
"At the very least, the defendants purposely ignored information that their troops were responsible for gross human rights violations by conducting a direct attack on civilians at the church," prosecutor Darmono told the court.
In all, 18 military, police and civilians are standing trial for crimes against humanity which took place in East Timor after the majority of people in the former Indonesian province voted for independence that year.
Outside the courtroom, hundreds of demonstrators grouped together under the aegis of the Indonesian Defender Front (FPBI), ignoring the heavy rain to perform an impromptu play expressing sympathy for the soldiers.
Human rights activists were quick to criticize the military's top brass for their inconsistent stance.
They said that, despite their demands for a fair trial, the TNI leaders had once more ignored the judicial process by refusing to allow Wiranto -- the Armed Forces chief when the violence took place -- to the face the tribunal.
"The TNI chief has consistently ignored the trial. Why should Widodo go to court to express his support while Wiranto, the officer in charge when the killings took place ... has failed to appear before the courtroom as a suspect?" Hendardi, of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) told The Jakarta Post.