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)