Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – The Witness and Victims Protection Agency (LPSK) has said that the latest developments in the trials of 12 of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) members, accused of killing four detainees at Cebongan Penitentiary in Sleman, Yogyakarta, highlighted the need to allow witnesses to testify via video link.

A number of people grouped under the so-called Alliance of Yogyakarta Communities Who Support Justice visited Cebongan Penitentiary at around 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, asking the prison's warden to present the witnesses at the trials in the Yogyakarta Military Court.

"This situation indicates the importance of allowing the witnesses to testify via video link," the LPSK's Abdul Haris Semendawai told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Members of the alliance, which comprises 14 people, visited the Cebongan prison wearing military fatigue-like clothing emblazoned with the letters FKPPI, which stand for the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veterans' Children.

They were seen attending the first hearing of the Cebongan trial at the Yogyakarta Military Court, last week, during which they voiced their full support for the Cebongan suspects.

"We vehemently reject the use of a video link. We are ready to protect the witnesses," said Agung HM, a representative of the alliance who read out a hand-written statement directed to the head of Cebongan prison.

A total of 42 people, comprising 31 inmates and 11 prison guards, are due to give testimony in connection to the killing of four inmates, allegedly perpetrated by the 12 Kopassus members on March 23.

Head of administration Aries Bimo said he would pass on the statement to the penitentiary's warden, Supriyanto. "He will make the final decision on this," Aried said. (fan/ebf)