Find the masterminds of Munir murder, say Indonesian human rights defenders
29 January 2008 7:00 pm

The key suspect for murdering Munir Said Thalib, an Indonesian human rights defender, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 25 January. The Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) issued a press release on the day urging the Supreme Court to take more measures to find the “masterminds” behind the case.
(Bangkok) The Indonesian Supreme Court has reversed a previous decision on 25 January and convicted suspect Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto for the murder of the prominent human rights defender Munir Said Thalib. The Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a FORUM-ASIA member in Indonesia, issued a press release on the day, saying that the conviction of Pollycarpus should lead the authorities to arrest the “masterminds” behind the murder.

Munir was killed on 7 September 2004. The case has been viewed as an important indicator of the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's commitment to protect human rights in the country, and the continuing impunity of the Indonesian military on commiting human rights violations. The conviction is an important turning point: the authorities reopened investigation of the case on the culpability of the suspected masterminds.

Please visit KontraS’s website to read the full press release .