CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 -- Ambon 97124 -- Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, August 4, 2004
THE SITUATION IN THE MOLUCCAS - Report No. 445
1. TWO WOUNDED IN UNORDERLY SHOOTING - Last Sunday night, August 1, two
people were wounded by a volley of gundfire by police Mobile Brigade personnel. The
incident seriously wounded Raymond Kaya and a nine-year-old boy, Henry Pentury. It
seemed that the incident began when police personnel were searching for Raymond
Kaya. The police finally located him at 9.30 p.m in the Tanah Lapang Kecil area. The
police say that they were forced to open fire on Raymond as he attempted to evade
arrest. Raymond was shot in the chest, but one of the bullets fired by the police
accidentally hit Henry Pentury in the head. Both victims are now being treated at a
hospital in Ambon. Upon hearing the shooting, local residents rushed home, fearing
that there would be a repeat of the April disturbances. According to Jakarta based
Suara Pembaharuan newspaper the fatal shooting was done by a drunken policeman.
2. MALUKU TREASON TRIAL OPENS - In Ambon has begun the trial of 36 people
who are charged with treason linked to the bloody communal unrest last April.
According to Detikcom Online News Service, a group of nineteen men was accused of
plotting against the state. Seventeen others went on trial last Tuesday. The
defendants were accused of taking part in the April 25 separatist rally in Ambon,
which triggered off a renewed outbreak of Muslim-Christian violence in which about 40
people were killed and much physical damage was done.
3. BULLETS FOUND WHILE SEARCHING FOR A BOMB... - Last Monday night, at
the Batumerah branch of Bank Maluku (formerly BPDM), a phone call was received
warning about a bomb that purportedly had been placed somewhere in the building.
However, what was found by the police, not a bomb but a cache of sixty 38-mm
bullets, originating from the state arms company PT Pindad. Bank employees were
tightlipped over the finding.
4. MILITARY DISCHARGED - For reason of indiscipline and other violations, 12
military personnel have been sent home by a military court in Ambon; 44 others have
also been discharged since they have deserted their ranks and their whereabouts are
unknown.
Reported from Jakarta by C.J.Böhm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
