Yoris arrested in connection to July 27 case

JAKARTA (JP): The National Police arrested on Tuesday Yoris Raweyai for his alleged role in the violence which followed the forcible takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) office on July 27, 1996.

"Yoris, the vice chairman of Pemuda Pancasila youth organization, was arrested as of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, after police questioned him beginning at 10:30 a.m. This brings the number of suspects in the July 27 (1996) case to eight," National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Dadang Garnida said.

Dadang added that the police would soon question three retired military officers as witnesses in connection with the violence.

He identified them as former Armed Forces chief Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung, former Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Syarwan Hamid and former Jakarta Military commander Lt. Gen. (ret) Sutiyoso, who is also the current governor of Jakarta.

Dadang said earlier that if the police questioning later revealed the retired generals had significant roles in the bloodshed, their cases would be submitted to the Military Police Headquarters.

"The three might be civilians now, but they were Army generals during the incident. Therefore, if they turn out to be suspects further investigation will be carried out by the Military Police," Dadang said.

PDI supporters loyal to Soerjadi took over the party's office on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta on July 27, 1996. At the time, the office was occupied by supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, whom Soerjadi ousted as party head in a government-backed party congress in June.

Many believe elements of the former Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) were involved in the attack.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said at least five people died, 149 were injured and 23 went missing during the violence. (ylt)