Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Almost three years since the murder of Munir Thalib, a leading Indonesian human rights activist who died from arsenic poisoning on a Jakarta-Amsterdam flight, two new suspects were arrested last Saturday. They are former Garuda Chairman Indra Setiawan and the state carrier’s former Executive Secretary Rohainil Aini.
His assassination is closely related to his activities. Munir made powerful enemies as a result of his campaigns against the rule of Indonesian dictator Suharto and human rights violations by the Indonesian military during East Timor's 1999 vote for independence from Indonesia.
He was poisoned on September 7, 2004, when he drank some orange juice laced with arsenic on board of a Garuda flight to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. Dutch investigators found traces of the deadly substance in his body.
Until now pilot Pollycarpus Priyanto was the only suspect. The Garuda pilot was jailed for 14 years in late 2005 for the murder, a decision overturned by the Indonesian Supreme Court last year. After only a few months in jail he was released.
Although Pollycarpus was not on service on that day, he was on board of that fateful flight, and gave up his business seat to Munir.
Indonesian police are investigating any links Indra and Rohainil might have to Pollycarpus’ fake papers.
Lawyers for Garuda contend that at present there is no evidence about their clients’ guilt.
Human rights groups accuse Indonesian authorities of trying to hide the truth, speculating that Indonesian intelligence might be involved.