Commander-in-Chief Andika Perkasa: Don't Give The Impression Of TNI Obstructing The Investigation Of Paniai's Case

TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa reminded his staff at the Military Police Center (Puspom) not to give the impression that the TNI was obstructing the examination of witnesses in the case of human rights violations in Paniai, Papua, which allegedly involved soldiers.

According to the Commander, in this case, the TNI only needs to ensure that there is clarity on the handover of soldiers who will be witnesses in the examination of the Paniai case by the Attorney General's Office.

"The important thing is that the handover is clear, so there is no impression that the examination will not take too long, or be limited, not free," said the TNI Commander during a routine meeting with the TNI legal team as broadcast on General TNI Andika Perkasa's Youtube channel, quoted by Antara, Tuesday. , February 15th.

The Central Commander of the Military Police (Danpuspom) TNI Admiral Nazali Lempo reported a request for examination of TNI soldiers as witnesses from the prosecutor's investigators.

So far, investigators have asked for information from a number of civilians and seven members of the National Police.

For that request, Danpuspom told the TNI Commander that his party would discuss it first.

He continued to report that the examination of the soldiers was planned to take place at the TNI Puspom Office, Jakarta. However, the Commander said that the TNI did not need to determine the place of examination because the investigation was carried out by the prosecutor's office.

“If you want to be investigated anywhere, please (please, ed.) because they are the investigators. Want to be examined at the prosecutor's office please. In the Military Court Law, we only (manage) permits," said the TNI Commander.

Serious human rights violations occurred in Paniai, Papua, on 7-8 December 2014 which left five civilians dead and 17 others injured. The case is believed to involve a number of TNI soldiers.

In the incident in Paniai, at least four students were shot and killed at the demonstration site, while another died after undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Five students who died in the Paniai incident, namely Otianus Gobai (18), Simon Degei (18), Yulian Yeimo (17), Abia Gobay (17), and Alfius Youw (17).

Not only fatalities, 17 civilians were also injured as a result of clashes between the demonstrators and the joint security forces of the TNI and Polri.

Komnas HAM in 2020 determined the incident in Paniai as a gross violation of human rights.

Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin as Investigator of Serious Human Rights Violations in 2021 formed a team of investigators consisting of 22 senior prosecutors.

The investigative team was led by the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes.