Yoris arrested in connection to July 27 case

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)