Ex Army Commander Detained for Illegal Firearm Possession
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21 May 2019 21:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Political, Law, and Security Affairs Wiranto confirmed that the former Army Special Forces’ (Kopassus) Commander Soenarko has been named a suspect in relations to ownership of illegal firearms.
Wiranto maintained that Soenarko’s arrest is essential to preserve the country’s security.
"Authorities do not play around in preserving peace and such arrest is firmly needed," said Wiranto in a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters on Tuesday, May 21.
However, he openly admitted that police investigators are currently investigating Soenarko’s motives behind the illegal firearm ownership.
Wiranto distanced himself from assuming too far about this case and the gun's possible intended use at the May 22 rally regarding the result of the elections.
“It isn’t linked to anything since we have just entered the initial investigation, but clearly ownership of illegal firearms is outright banned. As for what it would be used for, we’ll look into it during the investigation which is ongoing,” he said.
Information spread about Soenarko being questioned by Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) personnel on May 20, 2019. He is currently being held at the Guntur Military Detention Center in South Jakarta.
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI
