Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – One person died and six others were injured when they were held captive by the 744 Infantry Battalion/Satya Yudha Bakti (SYB) Military Command in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The victim, identified as Charles Mali from Fatunenao, Belu regency, died after sustaining wounds across his body allegedly caused by torture.
The SYB military command, which was visited by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a recent overland trip, monitors the border between Indonesia and Timor Leste.
Victims' relatives insisted the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
According to witnesses, the alleged incidents unfolded following a previous incident that occurred on March 5, during which seven intoxicated teenagers from Fatubenao, including at least one carrying a knife, threatened and attempted to extort a soldier.
Later that afternoon members from the SYB command came to Charles' house, but he and his six colleagues had already fled. The following day four TNI soldiers returned to the victim's house but were unable to find him because he apparently was still in hiding.
"At around 9 a.m. on March 8 two soldiers brought the victim's parents to the military headquarters. Both were required to report to the command in Tobir village, some 20 kilometers from Atambua.
"Charles's parents were required to report to the command until he gave himself up," said Charles' uncle Romo Leo Mali via text message on Monday. Charles and his brother Heri Mali were brought to the military command on March 12 by one of his siblings and mother Modesta Dau.
"Modesta decided to hand over her son because according to an agreement, the victim and six of his colleagues would be given counseling at the military command," said Romo Leo.
However, in reality, Charles was tortured until his death at the military command on March 13, Leo said. "To conceal the traces, Charles was forced to fight his elder brother Heri," said Leo.
"Heri is currently in serious condition at the hospital. Mother Modesta is suffering from severe distress as she feels guilty for sending her son to the military command where he was later tortured to death. She attempted suicide," Leo said.
When reached separately, SYB vice commander Capt. Nuryanto expressed regret and offered an apology over the incident. "We apologize to the victim's family and the community in Atambua over the incident. Those involved in the crime will be legally processed," he said.
When reached in Kupang, NTT legislature Commission A secretary Anton Landi strongly criticized the brutality that lead to civilian death.
According to Anton, his commission will summon the Wirasakti commander in Kupang for verification. Around 1,000 people staged a protest before the Belu regency council while carrying the remains of Charles on Monday.
As the coffin arrived at the regency council, protesters immediately placed it in the plenary hall. Rally coordinator Ande Bere Asa conveyed five demands to legislators, including, among others, that the TNI headquarters dissolve the SYB Military Command because "it has often resorted to anarchic acts against civilians".
They also urged the Military Police to mete out stiff sanctions against the perpetrators.