Two more suspects in Poso attacks surrender
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi
29 Nov 2006

Two men suspected of being involved in a series of attacks on Christians in the Central Sulawesi cities of Poso and Palu have surrendered to local police.
The men identified as Ateng and Nasir were flown to Palu from Poso for further questioning. Police would not say when the men gave themselves up.
Another suspected militant, Andi Bocor, surrendered to the police two weeks ago but was later released after being interrogated for three days.
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Muhammad Kilat would not comment about the men's surrender.
"In line with the requests by the interrogators, I cannot give any official statement yet," he said.
Kilat said a full statement would be made after the two men were questioned.
National Police deputy chief Insp. Gen. Anton Bahrul Alam said police had approached the families of the six men to find information about their whereabouts.
The families promised to give police the information on three conditions, he said.
These were that the police were not allowed to beat the suspects, the suspects had to be accompanied by lawyers, and their families were to be allowed to visit the detained suspects at any time, Anton said.
"We agreed with the requirement ... that's why we asked the families to help us find the wanted suspects," he said.
In a related development, six men found guilty of involvement in an Oct. 7, 2003, attack on Christians at Beteleme village in Morowali regency were freed from a Palu penitentiary Thursday after serving four-year prison terms.
Aco Gajahmada, Hendra, Suhardi, Hamdan, Andang and Abdul Khair were found guilty of involvement in attacks on the village where a Christian was killed and three others were seriously wounded.
A church, 35 houses, 30 motorcycles, a van and a truck were also destroyed in the violence.
Muhammadong alias Madong, who was believed to be the leader of the gang, was shot dead by Police Mobile Brigade officers. The six others were arrested on Nov. 28 of that year.
Anton greeted the six former convicts at the jail and gave them agricultural equipment.
He urged the men to live peacefully in their villages.
"I ask you to implement the lessons you have learned during correctional activities at the penitentiary," Anton said.
Aco said he would return to his village to manage his shrimp ponds, while Abdul promised to work on his neglected farm.
Meanwhile, the head of the Central Sulawesi branch of the Prosperous Peace Party, Sawerigading Pelima, said the police had to do more to capture militants suspected of violence in Sulawesi.
Failing to do so would only erode public trust in the force, he said.