Two Poso riot leaders arrested

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Two alleged leaders of the Poso riots, Dominggus Soares and Marimus, were arrested in a special military operation on Monday, officials said on Thursday.

Chief of Peace Task Force on Poso riots Col. M. Slamet revealed that both Dominggus and Marimus were apprehended in Ronta village, Lembo Beteleme district in Morowali regency after being hunted down for about a month.

"The two are currently detained at Palu Police headquarters pending further investigation," Slamet said.

Both men allegedly led the massacre of dozens of people in Pendiri village in Poso, Slamet added.

The arrests followed the detention of Fabianus "Cornelis" Tibo on July 27 who told police he was involved in killing 40 people in the Poso riot but said that he was merely "a field operator".

Both Dominggus and Marimus are believed to be Tibo's deputies in a task force called "Black Bats" involved in the Poso conflict which has left nearly 300 people killed.

"We hope these arrests will ease the conflicts in Poso and help us deal with the survivors," Slamet said, adding that the local government is planning a massive repatriation of over 10,000 refugees from the Poso unrest who have fled to Palu, Central Sulawesi, as well as other shelters. (27/edt)