Two to be tried in Ambon for killing soldier
Two to be tried in Ambon for killing soldier
JAKARTA (JP): Two of seven people suspected in the murder of a
member of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) during
the worst days of rioting in the Maluku capital of Ambon, will be
tried on Thursday, a court official has said.
The two, identified only as CZ and RR, are charged with the
Jan. 23 murder of I. Gusti Ngurah Artawan of Kostrad's Jember-
based Infantry Battalion 515, court head Sudiono Siswohutomo was
quoted by Antara as saying here on Tuesday.
"We have received their dossiers. The trial will be led by A.
Gasperz," Sudiono said.
He said another five suspects, identified as BL, AJP, AS, LS
and WL, will be tried separately.
Prosecution said the seven killed the soldier during a clash
between residents of Kampung Timur and Benteng Gudang Arang
villages in the Sirimau subdistrict.
According to the prosecutors, the brawl started when AS came
up to Artawan from behind and grabbed his gun.
The gun went off and injured AS in his left foot, prompting
him to ask his friends, BL, AJP, LS and WL to attack Artawan with
a machete.
More than 300 people were killed in the waves of frenzy
killings involving Muslims and Christians in Maluku. The violence
first erupted on Jan. 19, the first day of the Muslim holiday
Idul Fitri.
Thousands of people, mostly Muslim migrants, fled the province
and poured into various towns in South Sulawesi and Southeast
Sulawesi provinces. At least 902 children refugees sheltered in
Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, are taking their exams in several
local schools.
Also in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin
called on students, non-governmental organizations and the
National Commission on Human Rights to extend their help to the
42,000 refugees from Ambon now sheltered in Buton.
"I am missing the voice of the NGOs and students... who used
to be so forthright in speaking for the people," he said, as
quoted by Antara, while opening a gathering of the Civil Servants
Corps. "The refugees are waiting (for your attention)."
La Ode said he made the remarks because those groups had not
appeared to have tried to alleviate the suffering of the
refugees, most of whom were children, widows and elderly people
living in unsanitary makeshift shelters.
"Not one member of the rights commission has so far taken a
direct look at these Ambon refugees in Buton. Aren't they
interested?" (swe)