The Jakarta Post, January 22, 2003
Military not involved in Ambon attacks: Military
JAKARTA (JP): A senior military official dismissed recent testimony from a gang
leader in Ambon, Maluku, who said that the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) had
helped the gang to disrupt security in the province.
"His statements are incorrect because he was tortured by the police (during the
questioning)," claimed the source, referring to Berty Loupatty, the leader of the Coker
gang.
Berty, he said, would possibly withdraw his statement.
The source did not give details to support the claim. He said that the police had so far
arrested five civilians, including Berty, on charges of violating the peace in Ambon.
Last week, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said some Kopassus soldiers had
assisted the local Christian youth gang in committing various offenses.
Da'i said that Berty, who is in police custody, had told them the names of several
officers who helped the group, which has been accused of carrying out a number of
bombings and shootings before and after a peace deal was signed between the
Christian and Muslim communities in February last year.
Da'i refused to reveal any names but said that individual Kopassus members rather
than the institution were involved in helping the gang commit several acts of violence
in the province.
The role of Kopassus personnel was first revealed by Berty's lawyer, Christian
Rahayaan, who said that some gang members had told police that Kopassus soldiers
had given them instructions, weapons and bombs to carry out the attacks last year.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
