Ainur Rohmah, Semarang – A top general removed from his post after commenting on the Sleman prison massacre says that he respects the integrity of the 11 commandos arrested in the incident.

"I admire them for confessing to the Army investigative team about the killings," outgoing Diponegoro Military District Command chief Maj. Gen. Hardiono Saroso said at his change-of-command ceremony in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday. "They have evinced the mentality of a warrior by doing so," Hardiono said.

When asked about his statement, made hours after an armed team raided Sleman Prison and killed 4 detainees accused of killing a Kopassus commando, Hardiono said it was an honest mistake.

"I had received reports that all soldiers in every military complex were inside their barracks. Therefore I could say with high confidence that none of my soldiers were involved with the killings that day," Hardiono said.

The general said that he asked to be relieved after Military Police investigators determined that soldiers from Kopassus Group 2, which is based in his operational area, were implicated in the raid and murders. "I want to show to the public that I'm responsible for the statement," Hardiono said.

Ironically, Hardiono was replaced by Maj. Gen. Sunindyo, a former head of Kopassus Group 2. (dic)