UCA News
Contribute

Police face anger over suspect killings

Anti-terror squad accused after seven shot dead
Police face anger over suspect killings
Published: January 07, 2013 07:25 AM GMT
Updated: January 07, 2013 09:07 PM GMT

Activists yesterday accused a police anti-terrorism unit of gross human rights violations following the killing of seven suspected militants last week.

Members of the so-called Special Detachment 88 killed the militants in three related raids in South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara provinces on Friday and Saturday. Another 11 suspects were arrested, while two managed to escape.

All were suspected of involvement in the killings of two police officers in Poso district, Central Sulawesi province in October.

Police spokesman Brigadier General Boy Rafli Amar yesterday admitted the dead suspects had not shot at the anti-terror unit’s members during the raids, but suspects in at least one of the locations had explosives ready to be detonated.

The admission immediately drew angry reactions from rights groups.

Haris Azhar, executive coordinator of the Jakarta-based Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), accused the police of not wanting to take the suspects alive.

“Why did the police shoot them dead? Isn’t this a form of extrajudicial killings? Where is the police’s professionalism?” he asked.

"The police should have tried to arrest them. Killing them like that is a human rights violation."

Worse, such brutality will stir resentment and encourage terrorism in Indonesia, he told ucanews.com.

He then called for an independent investigation into the killings.

The call was backed by Son Hadi from Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid, a group founded in 2008 by jailed Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir.

He also branded the killings a serious human rights violation.

“We urge certain parties, including the police and National Commission on Human Rights, to thoroughly investigate this case because it does harm to religious values and humanity,” he said in a statement.

“We demand the establishment of an independent and transparent fact finding team which can conduct a thorough investigation into the killings,” he continued.

Special Detachment 88 was founded in 2002 soon after the Bali bombings. The unit has been responsible for the arrests of hundreds of suspected militants. However, since its establishment, its officers have killed more than 70.  

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia