Indonesian soldiers arrested for suspected torture, murder of civilian
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The three soldiers will face a military trial amid concerns raised by human rights activists of the court's transparency.
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Indonesian soldiers march in a show of force during a parade marking the 74th anniversary of the Indonesian Armed Forces in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, October 5, 2019. (AP)
Indonesia's military has apprehended three soldiers under suspicion of orchestrating the kidnapping, torture, and murder of a civilian in a harrowing extortion scheme.
The military has disclosed that the victim, identified as 25-year-old Imam Masykur by his family, was subjected to severe torture, resulting in his tragic death. Reports from local media indicate that his lifeless body was discovered in a river in the town of Karawang in West Java.
Masykur's family said that the soldiers demanded a ransom of 50 million rupiah ($3,278) from him prior to ending his life.
"This case involved three soldiers from the units of the Presidential Security Regiment (Paspampres) and the Army," Brigadier General Hamim Tohari, spokesperson for Indonesia's Armed Forces, told a press conference Tuesday.
"What is certain is that it started with a kidnapping, extortion and assault that led to a fatality."
The case came to light when it was reported to Jakarta's metro police on August 14, before being passed on to military police jurisdiction as the three soldiers became prime suspects, the spokesperson added. Consequently, they are set to face trial in a military court.
The murder sent shockwaves across the nation, garnering significant media attention.
Human rights advocates and organizations have long criticized the country's military for alleged abuses against civilians and the lack of transparency within its military justice system.
Advocates assert that those involved in such acts should not only face internal disciplinary measures but will also be subject to legal proceedings in a public court, ensuring fairness and transparency. Given that the suspects are members of the army, the case was delegated to the military court.
"Security personnel suspected of involvement in torture and other inhumane acts should not only face internal sanctions but also legal proceedings in a public court according to principles of fair justice," Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP.
Hamid expressed concern over the potential use of military tribunals to bypass transparent proceedings.
"We urge for the perpetrators to be brought within the realm of public jurisdiction, to be tried by judges of integrity, and to be given appropriate punishment."
