Sutarto Denies TNI Involvement in Timika Case

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The investigation into the shooting of two American citizens in the Freeport area, Timika, Papua, on August 31, 2002, has not revealed the perpetrators yet, according to Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Endriartono Sutarto, who was speaking after a meeting at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday (4/2). TNI and the National Police are still investigating and the FBI team is involved, said Sutarto. He denied that TNI members were involved in the case. Regarding the FBIs involvement in the joint investigation team, Sutarto said that this was intended to show that the investigation process was conducted fairly. The FBI team has merely witnessed that we are committed to conduct the investigation process properly, he said. Sutarto added the FBI members involved in the investigation team are coordinated by the National Police. However, if the investigation process reveals that the TNI members involved in the Timika case, Sutarto said firmly that TNI will take sanctions against them. Indonesia is a constitutional state. Those who violate the law should be punished. On the contrary, those who dont violate the law should be free, he said. (Dimas Adityo-Tempo News Room)