KUPANG: The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said the Belu military battalion was responsible for the death of local resident Charles Mali last March.

Charles was believed to have been tortured to death by soldiers.

Deddy R. Ch. Manafe, the chairman of the East Nusa Tenggara branch of Kontras, said legal sanctions should be imposed on military authorities because “Kontras’ investigation indicates they had been trying to get rid of evidence”.

“Our investigation proved that instructions had come from the commander in this case,” he said.

Charles was one of seven people interrogated by soldiers following an attempt by the seven to blackmail soldiers.

Kupang military command chief Col. I Ketut Dewa Siangan said 23 soldiers had been named suspects and those found guilty would be punished. — JP