Police probe allegations by death-row trio

Ruslan Sangadji and Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Palu/Kupang

Two of three men on death row in Poso, Central Sulawesi, told police Monday they were advised by their legal counsel not to reveal the names of 16 men who masterminded a wave of sectarian violence.

Fabianus Tibo, who was branded the commander of the "red group" of Christian militants, said he only decided to tell investigators the names after the three were sentenced to death for "masterminding" the conflict.

"I was asked by my former lawyer, Robert Bofe, not to mention the 16 names. I followed his advice even though I didn't know the reason why," the 60-year-old said.

"But after the judges decided to sentence me to death, I had no other choice but to reveal the 16 names as the real masterminds."

Apart from Tibo, police investigators, led by Central Sulawesi Police detective chief Sr. Comr. I Wayan Suharsa, also questioned Marinus da Silva about the allegations.

Tibo, da Silva and Marinus Riwu were sentenced to death in March 2001 by the Palu District Court for their role in the killing of about 200 Muslims in 2000.

Immediately after the panel of judges delivered the verdict, Tibo presented a handwritten list of 16 names of alleged masterminds. He identified them as Janes Simangunsong, Paulus Tungkanan, Angky Tungkanan, Lempa Delly, Erik Rombot, Yahya Pattiro, Sigilipu, Ladue, Obed, Sarjun, Herry Banibi, Guntur Taridji, Ventje Angkaw, Theo Mandayo, Son Ruagadi, and Bate Lateka.

However, neither the provincial court nor higher courts had taken Tibo's declaration into their legal consideration in upholding the verdict.

The police's move to question Tibo and da Silva comes amid hectic preparations by the Central Sulawesi prosecutor's office for the execution.

If the police decide to proceed with the statements of the two men, there may be a stay of execution to allow them to testify in any criminal proceedings against the 16, despite a statement Sunday from the Attorney General's Office there would be no more delays.

Last week, lawyers for the three filed a second plea for clemency with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, after their first appeal for a pardon was turned down last December.

High-ranking officials in the province -- including head of Central Sulawesi prosecutor's office Yahya Sibe and police chief Brig. Gen. Oegroseno, Palu Mayor Rudy Mastura -- held a closed-door meeting Monday on the planned execution.

It was the second in as many days after several top officials, including Oegroseno, met Sunday night. Present at Sunday's meeting was local Christian leader Rev. Renaldy Damanik and human rights activists.

Local religious leaders say they fear the executions will incite fresh violence in the area, which is home to equal numbers of Christians and Muslims.

"The government has never put on trial the perpetrators in some other conflict-prone areas nationwide, such as Aceh, Papua, Ambon, Sampit (in Kalimantan). Why is it only here, in Poso, that the common people must die for something they never did?" Damanik said.