Yuliasri Perdani, Jakarta – The head of the Army's investigative team on the Sleman prison killings in Yogyakarta, Brig. Gen. Unggul K Yudhoyono, says that 11 of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) personnel from the Kandang Menjangan Kopassus headquarters, Kartasura, have been proven to be behind the March 23 killings that claimed the lives of four detainees.

"The team comprised one executioner identified as U and eight supporting personnel. Two other personnel went to the site but tried to prevent the assault," Unggul told a press conference on Thursday.

He said the killings were done in retaliation for the slaying of two colleagues, First Sgt. Heru Santoso and First. Sgt. Sriyono.

He said the prison assailants had taken their AK-47 rifles from the Kopassus training site at Mt. Lawu. He said they also took along two AK-47 replicas and a replica of an SIG Sauer gun.

The Army investigative team was established after Army chief of staff Gen. Pramono Edhi Wibowo said there were indications that Army personnel may have been involved in the killings. The team assisted the police's investigative team.

A few hours before the Army announcement, National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Sutarman announced that that the police had collected bullets, projectiles and fingerprints left behind by the prison assailants, but did not mention identifying any suspects.

The prison raid resulted in the deaths of Hendrik Angel Sahetapy alias Deki, Gamaliel Yeremianto Rohi Riwu, Adrianus Candra Galaga and Yohanes Juan Mambait. They were in custody while undergoing investigation into the death of First Sgt. Heru Santoso at Hugo's cafe and First Sgt. Sriyono, who was reportedly fatally stabbed when attempting to arrest the four. (dic)