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Soeharto's Guards Hamper Probe: AG
Indonesia's Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said that armed civilian guards of former president Soeharto have hampered the corruption probe into the disgraced ex-ruler.
Speaking here Monday in response to President Abdurrahman Wahid's demand on Sunday for authorities to disarm Soeharto's civilian guards, Marzuki said, he has received information from intelligence officers that many armed civilians were deployed to guard Soeharto's Cendana residence in Central Jakarta in a bid to halt the legal process of the nation's former strongman.
"That's the information kept by the president and most people have been aware of this. The information is clear and the intelligence unit also says the same," Marzuki said.
He said the armed civilians were involved in the recent violence against the anti-Soeharto activities, and carried weapons that could harm the people.
Last Thursday, violent clashes broke out between Soeharto supporters and their rivals at nearby Cendana, injuring scores of people, including police officers.
Soeharto, who ruled the country for 32 years and stepped down in May 1998, has twice defied his corruption trial that commenced on August 31 and September 14. The court ordered him to show up during the third session scheduled for September 28.
Wahid's order to disarm Soeharto's civilian guards has received mixed reactions from human rights activities and political analysts. Many supported the move, while some others questioned it.
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