TNI AD Investigates Soldiers' Involvement In Pastor Jeremia's Shooting Case

Commander of the Indonesian Army Military Police Center, Lieutenant General TNI Dodik Widjanarko (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Army Joint Investigation Team is still investigating the involvement of TNI soldiers in the shooting case of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani, in Hitadipa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, on September 19, 2020.

"Still in the process of investigating and investigating by the Joint Team (TNI AD), if in the future sufficient evidence is obtained, a legal process will be carried out," said the TNI AD Military Police Central Commander, Lieutenant General TNI Dodik Widjanarko, during a press conference at the Headquarters. Indonesian Army Military Police Center, Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, November 12.

According to him, until now the joint team had not succeeded in finding sufficient evidence to bring the case to the investigation stage.

"We asked the witnesses, we certainly saw the crime scene, we also certainly saw the forensics and other things we also need," he said.

In order to find the shooter, the joint investigation team also requires an autopsy on the victim's body, while an autopsy has yet to be obtained.

"We do not want to determine the suspect to the wrong person, of course determine the suspect to the person who really did and did something wrong," he explained.

Currently the joint team consisting of Puspomad, TNI AD intelligence staff, TNI AD Intelligence Center, and the TNI AD Legal Directorate who joined the XVII / Cenderawasih Military Command team is still investigating the case.

The team was formed directly by the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General TNI Andika Perkasa, one day after the Intan Jaya Joint Fact-Finding Team submitted the results of the field investigation to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD.

Allegations of involvement of the authorities in the case of Pastor Yeremia's shooting emerged in the results of the investigation by Komnas HAM and the Intan Jaya Joint Fact-Finding Team.

The results of the TGPF investigation which was formed by the government revealed that the authorities were involved in the shooting of Pastor Jeremia. However, TGPF still opens the possibility of being carried out by third parties.

"Regarding the murder of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani on September 19, 2020, the information and facts obtained by the team in the field indicate the suspicion of involvement of elements of the apparatus. Although there may also be a third party," Mahfud said.

Meanwhile, regarding the deaths of 2 TNI soldiers Sgt Chief Sahlan on September 17, 2020 and Private Dwi Akbar Utomo on October 19, 2020, which were allegedly carried out by armed civilian gangs.

"Likewise, the killing of a civilian on behalf of Badawi on September 17, 2020," said Mahfud.