JP\/2\/RIAU<\/p>\n
Key witness in Pekanbaru bombing under tight guard<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
A critically ill man, who police believe may be a key witness in
\nTuesday's Pekanbaru bombing, was heavily guarded in hospital on
\nThursday and was visited by a U.S. FBI investigator and high-
\nranking police officers.<\/p>\n
The witness, Irwanto, 24, is being treated at Ibnu Sina Islam
\nHospital in the Riau capital of Pekanbaru. He was still
\nunconscious on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Irwanto was found badly hurt by police about 30 meters from
\nthe bomb blast, which destroyed a shop house, killing two people
\nand injuring four others early on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
The armed military and police contingent guarding Irwanto
\nprohibited anyone from seeing or talking to him. Along with the
\nfive guards inside his hospital room, more soldiers and plain
\nclothes police secured the entire hospital floor.<\/p>\n
After visiting Irwanto in hospital, FBI investigator Michael
\nHass and police officials, including national drug and antiterror
\ndivision director Brig. Gen. Gorries Mere, visited the bomb site
\nto inspect the police investigation. They refused to comment
\nabout their visit to Irwanto.<\/p>\n
Irwanto has become a focus in the bombing investigation
\nbecause his clothes were covered with traces of a chemical used
\nto make high explosives. The chemical was also used in the Bali
\nand JW Marriott Hotel bombings. The reason for Irwanto being at
\nthe bomb scene early on Tuesday morning is also unclear.<\/p>\n
The bomb went off only few hours before the Pekanbaru District
\nCourt began the trial of a man charged with the Christmas 2000
\nbombing of a Riau church.<\/p>\n
Earlier, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar had
\nexpressed his suspicion that Irwanto had some connection to the
\nbombing.<\/p>\n
But Irwanto's mother Iluswati, 43, told Antara she believed
\nher son was innocent.<\/p>\n
Iluswati, from the city's West Sidomulyo district, said
\nIrwanto had told her on Monday afternoon he was delivering a
\nmotorcycle to a friend.<\/p>\n
The next thing she knew, he was in hospital, she said.<\/p>\n
Those killed in the blast have been identified as Sipon, a
\nmaid; and Sriyati, a shop assistant. Injured were the shop owner
\nAlong, his wife Yuliana, his son Stephen and Irwanto.<\/p>\n
A police forensic team is continuing to sift through debris at
\nthe bomb site for clues.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp2riau-1447899208",
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