INDONESIA LIEUTENANT GENERAL PRABOWO SUBIANTO IS DISMISSED

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(25 Aug 1998) Indonesian/Nat • A senior Indonesian general, who is the son-in-law of former President Suharto,has been dismissed amid speculation he ordered the kidnappings of political activists. • The armed forces chief, General Wiranto, says Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto may still face a court-martial. • Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto was the chief of Indonesia's special forces, which have been implicated in the abduction and torture of Suharto's opponents last year. • Amid the suspicion he ordered kidnappings of political activists, Prabowo has now been suspended from duty pending the investigation. • He has said he was ready to take responsibility for the kidnappings if his troops were proven to have taken part. • The head of Indonesia's armed forces General Wiranto announced the dismissal of Prabowo. • SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian) • As for Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto, he is summarily excused from his duties in the Indonesian army. • SUPER CAPTION: General Wiranto, Indonesia's Armed Forces Chief • Many thought Prabowo had guaranteed his steady promotion to the highest echelons of power when he married the daughter of former President Suharto. • But the excesses of the previous regime and subsequent upheavals that brought down Suharto in May also brought down his son-in-law. • More than two dozen political activists were allegedly kidnapped by Indonesia's special forces and whilst being held, routinely tortured. • Those that were released said they had been specifically asked about their political ties. • At least 14 opponents are still missing and are presumed dead. • During the extended closed session inquiry on Prabowo's fate, no word emerged from the general as to the fate of those still missing. • A further 10 officers, all of whom were part of Indonesia's special forces, are also suspected in the case. • They are already set to appear before a military tribunal. • Although facing the disgrace of being dismissed from the army, the possibility of further charges against Prabowo and his associates has not been ruled out. • SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian) • Of course, this does not stop the possibility of sending them to court if, during the trial of the other 10 soldiers, it can be proved that they are guilty. • SUPER CAPTION: General Wiranto, Indonesia's Armed Forces Chief • A separate government team investigating May's riots is also expected to question Prabowo on allegations of military involvement in the violence, in which 12-hundred people were killed and thousands of buildings were looted, damaged or burned. • • Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork • Twitter: / ap_archive • Facebook: / aparchives • Instagram: / apnews • #indonesia #prabowo #subianto #general • • • You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...

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