The Jakarta Post, March 19, 2003
Kopassus lawyer calls Theys' murder suspects 'heroes'
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A lawyer representing seven military officers in their trial for the murder of Papuan
separatist leader Theys Hiyo Eluay, called them "heroes" and warned that punishing
them would set a bad example for other soldiers in conflict zones.
Lawyer Hotma Sitompul was representing seven mid- to high-ranking officers of the
Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassus) in the court martial on Tuesday, charged with
killing Theys on his way home in Papua on Nov. 10, 2001.
"They (the defendants) have fought with all they have, their minds, careers and their
lives, to defend the unitary state of Indonesia. So this defense statement can be titled
no other than 'Heroes on Trial'," said Hotma as he read out the defense's opening
statement, Antara reported.
Theys was murdered on National Heroes' Day in 2001, and was last seen during its
commemoration dinner at Kopassus headquarters in the Papuan capital of Jayapura,
which he had attended at the invitation of Papua Kopassus Commander Lt. Col.
Hartomo.
During the dinner, Hartomo heard of Theys' plan to reaffirm Papua's independence and
ordered his men to anticipate the plan.
A team of six Kopassus officers then followed Theys, including two officers who
accompanied Theys in his own car.
Apparently, the two intended to extract information from Theys, but instead got into an
argument. The Papuan leader died of suffocation, after one of the soldiers -- as he
claimed -- clamped his hand over Theys' mouth to avoid him from screaming out
during the quarrel.
Ariestoteles, Theys' driver, fled the scene and remains missing. Over a year later, he
is now presumed dead.
Hotma, however, said the soldiers were doing only their job.
"So let us think about the impact the judges' verdict will have on soldiers all over
Indonesia... Don't let the verdict weaken the soldiers' spirit in defending the unitary
state of Indonesia," he argued.
During the court hearing on March 5, prosecutors demanded sentences of between
two to seven years in prison for the three defendants, two-and-a-half years for
Kopassus Commander Hartomo, and three years for Chief Pvt. Achmad Zulfahmi, who
was directly responsible for Theys' death. Achmad has already been discharged from
service.
Appearing at the court martial on Tuesday were Papua Kopassus Commander
Hartomo, Capt. Rionardo, Chief Sgt. Asrial and Achmad Zulfahmi.
The other defendants, Maj. Donny Hutabarat, First Lt. Agus Suprianto and First Sgt.
Lorensius are to be tried at a separate hearing.
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