Ex-Aceh military commander denies link to activist murders

Former Aceh military commander Maj. Gen. Soenarko has denied allegations that Army Special Force that once he led perpetrated a series of political murders in the run-up to the 2009 legislative elections in Aceh.

"There had been no Kopassus personnel, either open or covert, in Aceh since 2004, so how could any member of the force was involved in any activity, including that related to the 2009 elections, there?" said Soenarko, who commanded Aceh military when the alleged murders took place.

Soenarko told Antara political life in Aceh prior to and during the elections was “a great dynamics”. As the regional military commander, he actively helped the provincial police to maintain security and order.

"But not a single Kopassus member was there, much less was any element of the force involved in practical politics there," he said.
 
American journalist Allan Nairn claims in his blog posted on March 21 Kopassus was involved in the murder of at least eight Aceh Party members. In his article titled "Breaking News: Indonesian Army, Kopassus, Implicated in New Assassinations. Forces Chosen by Obama for Renewed US Aid Ran ‘09 Activist Murders", Nairn quoted a number of sources, including local administration officials, police, the wives of the alleged murder victims and Kopassus officers to conclude the force’s role in the atrocities.

The Aceh Party, founded by former rebel group the Free Aceh Movement, now is the ruling political group in the province.