Theys 'probably murdered'

Independence leader Theys Eluay was probably murdered, police in Irian Jaya said yesterday, despite claims to the contrary from the military.

'Based on preliminary evidence gathered from witnesses, there is a strong indication that this is a murder case,' Adjunct Chief Commissioner Janner Pasaribu said from the provincial capital, Jayapura.

He said more than 100 people had been questioned but it was not yet known who killed the leader of the pro-independence Papua Presidium.

Theys disappeared on November 10 after attending a military ceremony. He allegedly was abducted on his way home by car.

His driver, who is still missing, called Theys' wife to say the two had been abducted by men who were not Papuan - indigenous residents of Irian Jaya.

Suspicion among rights activists, diplomats and others immediately focused on the Kopassus special forces from the Indonesian military, who are alleged to have wanted to provoke Papuan rage to justify a crackdown.