Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The National Defense Forces (TNI) Headquarters has set up an investigation team to further probe the alleged involvement of soldiers in drugs networks, TNI Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo said here on Monday.

He was responding to the testimonies of death row drug convict Fredy Budiman about the alleged involvement of a two-star general in drug offense by backing drug networks.

All TNI staff, including those involved in drug offenses, either those undergoing legal process, those serving jail term for drug offenses, or those already set free, will be questioned to get certainty, he said.

"Since I began to lead the TNI, I have never covered up the mistakes of personnel, ranging from non-commissioned officers to generals. If they they are found guilty of making mistakes they must be dealt with in accordance with the law," he said.

The TNI chief said Fredy Budimans testimonies conveyed by Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar is not just a statement but it also serves as a means to make introspection.

He expressed the hope that there will be clarity after preliminary evidence has been found and combined to that of the National Police to find who are the culprits.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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