Ina Parlina, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) released on Wednesday a report on its inquiry into the execution-style killing of detainees in Cebongan Penitentiary in Sleman, Yogyakarta, highlighting the possible complicity of higher ranking officers of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus).
Komnas HAM also deemed the murder a human rights violation and urged the military tribunal to investigate culprits other than the 12 members of Kopassus' Kandang Menjangan Group already implicated in the murders. The announcement was made ahead of the first trial session of the 12 soldiers.
In its two-point recommendation, Komnas HAM urged the military court to hold a fair and independent trial and look for evidence of higher-ranking involvement in the killings. "It is important to see whether or not their superiors were involved," Komnas HAM commissioner Nur Kholis told a press conference on Wednesday.
On March 23, the 12 Kopassus members are alleged to have descended on the Cebongan prison in and shot four prisoners who were accused of killing former Kopassus member First Sgt. Heru Santoso, at a cafe in the Sleman area on March 9.
Two weeks after the incident, Diponegoro Military Regional Command chief Maj. Gen. Hardiono Saroso and Yogyakarta Police chief Brig. Gen. Sabar Rahardjo were removed from their positions.
Komnas HAM said in its report that it had found no evidence that senior officers in Jakarta, including Kopassus Commander Maj. Gen. Agus Sutomo, were involved in the attack or knew in advance about the raid.
Based on case reconstructions and witness testimony, Komnas HAM found that at least 14 Kopassus members, rather than 12, were involved in the murders. "One of them acted as leader," Komnas HAM chairwoman Siti Noor Laila said in the press conference.
Nur Kholis said the military court proceedings could be the best way to find out the actual number of assailants. "We also ask the judges to give us our rights of amicus curiae [a brief filed by someone who is not a party to a case]," Siti said, adding that a Komnas HAM team would monitor the trial.
The early morning attack on March 23 was premeditated murder carried out by professionals, Komnas HAM said in the report. Wielding AK-47 and SS-1 assault rifles, as well as FN pistols and hand grenades, the assailants threatened Cebongan prison guards before storming the cells.
"We can see that they were pros from how they used their weapons as well as from how they distributed the roles and tasks of time keepers, executioners, lookouts, guards and drivers," Siti said.
The report also sought accountability for any parties deemed responsible for preventing the incident, including Hardiono and Sabar as well as the commander of the Kandang Menjangan Kopassus HQ.
The trial will begin at Yogyakarta Military Court on Thursday. Television coverage and tents are being provided for outside observers.
The Military Court Monitoring Coalition (KRPM) urged the court to ensure that the session would be free from intimidation. "Don't let anyone intimidate the trial," said the coalition's Tri Wahyu KH.