Police say Poso victims involved in criminal acts

National News - January 25, 2007
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso

Dead victims of a gunbattle between police and suspected militants in Poso, Central Sulawesi on Monday had been involved in a criminal activities in Poso and Palu, police said Wednesday.

The victims had not been included on police wanted-lists but had played large roles in several criminal acts in the province, Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Badrodin Haiti told The Jakarta Post.

One policeman and 13 civilians were killed during Monday's hostilities. A further seven civilians were wounded and dozens arrested.

Badrodin said several of the victims had allegedly been involved in the fatal shootings of Ivon Nathalia, Sitti Nuraini, Helmy Tombulung and an unidentified Christian citizen on a cacao plantation in Sayo village. These killings all occurred in 2005.

This information was based on a statement made by one of the captured fugitives, identified as Wiwin Kalahe, he said.

Wiwin said a two victims, identified as Umang and Kana, were allegedly involved in the 2005 killing of Puji Astuti. Puji was a lecturer at the Agriculture School of Tadulako University in Palu.

Another victim, Ebnal Tao, was also alleged to have been involved in the shooting of two police officers, First Brig. Agus Sulaiman and First Brig. Sugito.
"All of the criminal acts took place in 2005, so all of those killed in the clash were criminals," Badrodin said.

The victims had protected several civilians wanted by police as well as assemble weapons and explosive substances, he said. "They also terrorized the people of Poso by detonating their homemade bombs," Badrodin said.

"We're very optimistic that the capture of a number of people on our wanted list will help uncover the involvement of civilians in a series of criminal acts in Poso and Palu," he said.

Meanwhile, a group of Poso residents expressed their concern over the recent tough stance taken by police, which they said led to the outbreak of hostilities.
Yus Mangun, a member of the Central Sulawesi Legislative Council, said he supported strong law enforcement in Poso but that efforts must be conducted in a just way and not be repressive.

"I've received information from the people of Poso that a number of those who died were civilians who happened to pass by the site of the hostilities," he said.
Yus cited the police shooting of Ustadz (Muslim preacher) Ardian who at the time of hostilities was one kilometer away from the action.

Badrodin said, however, that Ardian was an alias used by the Javanese man, who he claimed had taken part in a war in Afghanistan. The man had later traveled to Poso and trained several locals in the assembling of weapons and bomb making, he said.
Badrodin declined to disclose Ardian's real name.

Indonesian Military Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto said in Jakarta on Wednesday he would deploy 200 soldiers to assist police officers in Poso.

"We are ready to deploy our soldiers under the condition that we receive a formal letter asking for assistance," he said.

A comprehensive approach, which involved civilians, was needed to end the conflict, he said.***