ABC AUSTRALIA, 23/10/2003 23:00:24
Indonesian special forces chief on trial for crimes against
humanity
Indonesia's special forces chief has gone on trial for gross human rights violations
linked to the shooting of a crowd of Muslim protesters 19 years ago.
Prosecutors have accused Major General Sriyanto Muntarsan, now the head of the
army's Kopassus special forces, of crimes against humanity.
The chief prosecutor says Muntarsan's troops shot into a crowd gathering at North
Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port in September 1984 without first firing warning shots.
An investigation by the National Commission on Human Rights found at least 24
people were killed.
Dozens of Kopassus soldiers packed the courtroom in a show of support.
Muntarsan, 52, could face the death penalty if found guilty.
In addition to Muntarsan, two retired generals, an army captain and 10 private
soldiers, accused of the massacre, are currently on trial.
The trials are Indonesia's second major attempt to bring soldiers to count for rights
abuses.
23/10/2003 23:00:24 | ABC Radio Australia News
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