TEMPO, 7 Jan 2003 22:3:2 WIB
Berty Loupaty: Kopassus Mastermind of Riots in Ambon
7 Jan 2003 22:3:2 WIB
TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta: Berty Loupaty, leader of the Coker gang in Ambon, said,
as quoted by his lawyer Christian Rahajaan at the National Police headquarters (HQ)
in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/1), that the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) masterminded
the riots in Ambon, Maluku, following the Malino agreement.
"It's not only Kopassus members as individuals. The Kopassus institution itself
backed the riots in Ambon. According to Loupaty's statement to the police detectives,
before his group started riots in Ambon, they always received instructions from
Kopassus," said Rahajaan.
Rahajaan cited the attacks on Porto and Haria villages in Ambon.
Quoting Loupaty, Rahajaan said that the two speedboats used by the Coker gang to
attack the two villages were bought with the financial support of Kopassus.
After the riots took place, the gang members then left the location.
"So, the gang members are the provocateurs in the riots. Kopassus members were
also present in the two speedboats," said Rahajaam.
Regarding Kopassus' reasons to be involved in the riots, Rahajaan said that Kopassus
wanted to create an image of chaos in Ambon.
Loupaty was first recruited by Kopassus to spy on activities of Maluku Sovereignty
Front (FKM) and find out the links of this organization with South Maluku Republic
(RMS).
At the end, Lupaty was used by the Kopassus to maintain the conflict in Ambon.
Up to when this report was made, Tempo News Room (TNR) reporters have been
unable to get any confirmation from the Military Police Center (Puspom) or the
Kopassus spokesperson.
Loupaty himself has been detained at the National Police HQ since he surrendered
himself in November 2002.
He and 17 other friends have been detained for having allegedly committing riots in
Ambon. (Wahyu Mulyono-Tempo News Room)
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