Tibo links synod council to Poso attacks

Ruslan Sangaji, The Jakarta Post, Palu

Fabianus Tibo, one of three men on death row for their roles in the attacks that killed some 200 Muslims six years ago in Poso, Central Sulawesi, has accused the Synod Council of the Central Sulawesi Christian Church (GKST) of involvement in the violence.

"Most people in Poso know about the GKST's involvement in the violence. It is very strange the police did not investigate them," Tibo told journalists Saturday at the prison in Palu, Central Sulawesi, where he is awaiting execution.

He claimed that whenever members of the council went to "war", they gathered in front of the church in Tentena district near Poso to ask for a blessing.

"Several priests who were also synod council members prayed for them," he said.

Tibo demanded police arrest the members of the GKST he accused of being involved in the violence, and release him and Dominggus da Silva and Don Marinus Riwu, who were also sentenced to death for the attacks.

The head of the synod council, the Reverend Renaldy Damanik, denied his organization's involvement in the sectarian violence. However, he acknowledged that some rogue elements within the council might have played a role in masterminding the violence.

"The job of the synod council is dealing with our congregation. We promote peace in the world and campaigned to stop the bloodshed in Poso," Renaldy said.

When Tibo was arrested in 2001, he accused former synod council leader Agustina Lumentut of involvement in the attacks.

Tibo told authorities that Agustina had asked him not to reveal the council's involvement in the conflict.

He claims Agustina promised he would be released in three days if he did not tell investigators about the council's role in the violence. However, Tibo was sentenced to death in 2001.

Agustina subsequently moved away from Tentena and passed away in 2003.

Tibo also told authorities several other Poso figures were involved in the conflict, including Paulus Tungkanan, Erick Rombot, Limpadeli and Christian Red Troop commander Angki Tungkanan.

They were seen at the scenes of the attack, Tibo claimed. "All of these people are still in Tentena and are active members of the synod council board and the Sintuwu Maroso Youth Force."

The Poso Three, as the three men on death row have come to be known, earlier accused 16 men, including some of these local figures, of masterminding the religious violence.

Speaking at the same time, Da Silva urged the police to arrest former Poso regency secretary Yahya Pattiro for his alleged role in the unrest.

"When an attack occurred, he (Yahya) made a call to the GKST church. I answered the phone and he told me he was looking for (Angki) Tungkanan, who was not present," he said.

Da Silva said Yahya then asked him to tell Tungkanan to block off the road to military troops being deployed from Palopo, South Sulawesi.

He said this proved Yahya's involvement in the conflict, because he was giving orders to the Red Troop commander.

Heri Mengkawa, who is serving a 12-year jail sentence for his involvement in the Poso violence, also alleged Yahya played a role in the conflict.

The former regency secretary has denied on a number of occasions any involvement in the violence.

Central Sulawesi Police chief Comr. Gen. Oegroseno said the authorities had run into trouble trying to find evidence that the 16 men identified by Tibo and the two other convicts had masterminded the Poso attacks.

However, he promised to follow up on all allegations and question those identified by Tibo.***