Indonesia's armed forces yesterday began the court-martial of 11 elite troops charged with kidnapping anti-Suharto activists in an operation tagged "Operation Rose".
In a 27-page opening statement, prosecutor Mr Harom Wijaya told the court the ringleader, Maj Bambang Wisyono, had formed a special unit to kidnap people he considered radicals threatening Indonesian security.
"The accused set up a team for Operation Rose on his own initiative after looking at the activities of radical political activists who he saw as endangering the nation," Mr Wijaya told the panel of four judges.
"(Gen Wisyono) instructed the other accused by telling them that this was a highly secretive operation to prevent radical movements."
More than 20 activists opposed to the then president Suharto were kidnapped in 1997 and 1998. Human rights groups say at least 13 are still missing. Human rights groups and survivors of the kidnappings say the victims were tortured.
The accused stood silently in court, wearing their green uniforms and their Kopassus unit's trademark red berets.
In the packed public gallery, dozens of Kopassus troops in full uniform sat in a show of support for their comrades next to the families of some victims still missing.
Gen Suharto's son-in-law, Lieut-Gen Prabowo Subianto, commanded the Kopassus forces at the time. A senior army officer said on Tuesday Gen Prabowo might be summoned to return from a holiday in Jordan to give evidence.
Gen Prabowo was sacked from the armed forces in August after a military inquiry found troops under his command were involved in the abductions.
Mr Wijaya made no mention of torture in reading out the charges against the major, seven captains and three sergeants, but later told reporters he might include torture in his written report.
The 11 are charged with nine counts of kidnapping last February and March. Mr Wijaya also said that higher-ranking officers could also be charged.
The new government of President B.J. Habibie ordered an investigation into the kidnappings and torture soon after Gen Suharto was forced out of office in May amid widespread political and economic turmoil.
The court adjourned until December 31st. The 11 were not required to enter a plea.