TNI Commander Apologizes For The Case Of Soldiers Persecute Acehnese To Death

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono apologized to the Indonesian people for the case of three TNI soldiers involved in the kidnapping, extortion and mistreatment of civilians from Aceh named Imam Masykur, to death.

This, he said, was conveyed through Commission I of the DPR during a closing session of a working meeting with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) along with the Indonesian Army, Navy, and Air Force, Wednesday, September 6.

"My apology on behalf of the TNI soldiers for the incident of persecution that resulted in Imam Masykur being killed by members of the TNI. As the leader, I apologize to all Indonesian people, I convey it through Commission I," Yudo said as quoted by ANTARA.

Yudo also admitted that the three TNI soldiers had indeed made mistakes so they had to be severely punished, as was the serious criminal offense committed by the three perpetrators.

"I was committed yesterday, I have said that I was given a maximum sentence of how much articles can be imposed," he said.

He also ensured that the investigation into the TNI soldiers involved in the kidnapping, extortion, and abuse was carried out transparently and publicly accessible.

"And this is not covered up, so remember the military court, the military legal process, nothing is covered up," he said.

In ensuring transparency in the handling of the case, Yudo also invited the media and the public to participate in supervising the proceedings of the trial.

"Later, an open trial will be held even though the military court, but the trial is open to the public. So please see how the trial process is," he said.

Finally, Yudo stated that he was open to meeting with the victim's family, but for now he is busy with securing the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.

"Not yet (meeting the victim's family). Later we set the time, I am still responsible for this Pam Summit, maybe later after the Pam Summit, we will arrange the time. In essence, I am open to my family if I want to meet me," he said.

Praka RM (member of Paspampres TNI), Praka HS (member of the Topographic Directorate of the Indonesian Army), and Praka J (member of Kodam Iskandar Muda), together with a civilian with the initials ZSS (Brother-in-law Praka RM), kidnapped, blackmailed, and abused two civilians, one of whom is a young man from Aceh aged 25 years with the initials IM.

The perpetrators released one of the victims during the persecution. However, IM, known as Imam Masykur, was eventually tortured to death.

The victim who died, Imam Masykur, an immigrant from Aceh, was kidnapped on August 12, 2023 at a cosmetic shop he was guarding in the area, Rempoa, South Tangerang.

To the victims and local residents, the perpetrators had claimed to be police officers. The results of the initial examination by the Military Police of Kodam Jaya, the victim is known to be involved in the illegal drug trade.

Imam, when kidnapped and abused, had contacted his family and asked for a ransom of Rp. 50 million. The victim's voice recording contacted his family and video footage showing the victim being tortured by the perpetrator went viral on social media.

The victim's family also reported the kidnapping and torture of Imam to the Polda Metro Jaya. The report was received by the police with the Number STTLP/B/4776/VIII/2023/SPKT.