Jakarta – Hot on the heels of an admission that its own soldiers are believed to have shot dead six student protesters, the Indonesian armed forces yesterday announced that senior police officers under its command were involved in the kidnapping of anti-government activists.

The admissions were a swift response to calls during the height of the demonstrations earlier this month for a transparent inquiry into the fatal volleys and the disappearance of several protest leaders.

According to Reuters, armed forces (Abri) spokesman Wahab Mokodongan said yesterday that a military investigation had identified senior police officers suspected of involvement in the kidnappings of anti-government activists.

He would not elaborate, saying investigations were continuing.

The armed forces, which includes the police, has been investigating allegations that several activists were abducted and tortured in recent weeks. The military had previously denied any involvement.

Yesterday, too, Abri chief General Wiranto told reporters that the courts-martial of eight soldiers and six officers suspected of being involved in the killing of six Trisakti University student protesters at the height of the unrest would start next week.

"I will order that the military courts begin as soon as possible.

"They will begin next week," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after a ceremony at which Lieutenant-General Prabowo Subianto, head of the army's strategic command (Kostrad), took up his new post as head of an army college.

The students' deaths during anti-government protests in Jakarta two weeks ago sparked a wave of rioting in the capital which helped to end 32 years of rule by Mr Suharto.

Even before the courts-martial, information on the shootings had begun flowing from the National Commission on Human Rights.

The Jakarta Post yesterday quoted a member, Djoko Soegianto, as saying that the police present at the Trisakti University incident did not use live ammunition.

Although this then placed the spotlight on the soldiers, the commission did not elaborate on its findings. The Post also reported that the commission had issued a statement which said that a number of people were still missing and that several witnesses had been threatened and now refused to give testimony.

The commission urged the military investigation team to guarantee the students' safety.