Elite force soldiers accused of murdering Papuan leader

JAKARTA, April 16 (Kyodo) - Three members of the army's Special Force Command (KOPASSUS) have been named as suspects in the murder of Papuan pro-independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay late last year, military officers said Tuesday. Both Indonesian Defense Force Commander Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto and Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Abe, however, refused to disclose the soldiers' names, ranks and units.

''There is a strong indication of their (the soldiers') involvement in Theys' death,'' Widodo told reporters after attending a gathering of the army's Special Force Command.

Asked by reporters on future action by KOPASSUS, KOPASSUS Commander Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini said, ''We have been preparing a defense lawyer team from KOPASSUS.'' Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Abe said the three soldiers have been arrested.

Last month, Koran Tempo daily quoted its military sources as saying that at least three KOPASSUS soldiers -- a major, a captain and a low-ranking officer -- had been detained over their suspected involvement in the killing. The Papuan leader was found dead Nov. 11 after being kidnapped a day earlier by a group of unidentified men while en route from the Papuan 
provincial capital of Jayapura to his home. He was returning from a dinner at a KOPASSUS compound when he was kidnapped, 
raising speculation that KOPASSUS may have been behind his death. 

Police have said there have been indications of military involvement, but the army has repeatedly denied any role.