TNI has nothing to do with Talangsari incident : commander

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Gen Djoko Santoso said the TNI as an institution had nothing to do with the Talangsari incident in 1989 as the servicemen involved in it were now all retired and thus no longer TNI members.

"They are retired generals, so no longer TNI members. It`s now up to each of them as individuals to face the matter," Santoso said here Tuesday.

He was speaking to reporters at the presidential office about the investigation being conducted by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas-HAM) into alleged gross human rights violations committed in the incident.

Santoso said the TNI was leaving the case to the due process of law implemented with observance of the principle of presumption of innocence in accordance with the constitution.

He denied that the case had tarnished the TNI`s image as a number of retired TNI officers suspected of having played a role in the affair had refused to be questioned by Komnas-HAM.

"All the things they do, it`s their individual right as retired generals in accordance with the existing rules," he said.

Komnas HAM had stated it would continue its investigation into the Talangsari affair although a few retired generals suspected of involvement in it had repeatedly dodged the commission`s summonses for questioning.

The former ranking officers the commission had sought to question about the incident which caused the death of 146 people included retired admiral Sudomo, retired general Try Sutrisno, retired lieutenant general AM Hendropriyono, retired general Wismoyo Arismunandar.(*) end