9 Oct 2002

Indonesia identifies two officers as main suspects in Eluay murder

12:33 pm on 9 October 2002

Indonesia's military police chief says two officers from the special forces are the main suspects in last November's killing of the Papua separatist leader, Theys Eluay.

Reuters news agency reports that military prosecutors have received dossiers on seven members of the elite Kopassus as they try to solve the murder.

The police chief says two middle-ranking officers misinterpreted orders and failed to provide security which caused the death of chief Eluay.

The police didn't say whether the seven would face murder charges.

Kopassus has repeatedly said it did not order the killing although in April the military said troops were involved.

The Kopassus unit has earned a notorious reputation for its alleged role in the torture and abduction of dissidents during former president Suharto's 32-year rule.