Police firm on suspect in Udin murder case<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police yesterday maintained their belief that
\nDwi Sumaji killed Yogyakarta journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin,
\ndespite criticism from all corners about their handling of the
\nAugust murder case.<\/p>\n
Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said in a hearing with the
\nHouse Commission I on political and security affairs that all
\nevidence has so far supported the murder charge that police have
\nleveled against Sumaji, a driver at a local advertising agency,
\nwho was arrested on Oct. 21.<\/p>\n
The latest proof, Dibyo said, was a DNA test, conducted at a
\nlaboratory in England recently, which confirmed that a speck of
\nblood on a shirt, that police claim Sumaji wore on the night of
\nthe murder, belonged to Fuad, better known as Udin.<\/p>\n
\"We will not seek his (Sumaji's) confession. We heavily rely
\non evidence to bring him to court,\" Dibyo said.<\/p>\n
He said his insistence on targeting Sumaji in the
\ninvestigation process did not violate the presumption of
\ninnocence.<\/p>\n
The investigation procedure has created a division with the
\npolice on one side, and the Indonesian Journalists Association
\nand the National Commission on Human Rights on the other. The two
\nlatter organizations have suggested police question witnesses in
\nan attempt to look for other suspects.<\/p>\n
\"The court will explain this case as clearly as possible. We
\njust tried our best. We let other people have different opinions,
\nbut at least we have done what they asked us to do,\" Dibyo said.<\/p>\n
He said the police had also interviewed, not questioned,
\nBantul Regent Sri Roso Sudarmo, as some people believe he might
\nhave been involved in the attack. Udin was well known for his
\nsharp criticism of the development policies of Yogyakarta and
\nBantul regencies.<\/p>\n
\"Police need the Yogyakarta Governor's consent for a
\nquestioning. The regent came to us while we were waiting for the
\ngovernor's nod,\" Dibyo said.<\/p>\n
The murder case has received continual media coverage over the
\npast two months for what has been termed 'oddities' in the police
\ninvestigation procedures. The arrest of Sumaji reportedly
\ninvolved the use of a call-girl and intimidation.<\/p>\n
The police attempted a second reconstruction of the crime
\nMonday, but this was disrupted when Sumaji refused to continue
\nand protested his innocence. Udin's wife, a key witness, failed
\nto turn up to the reconstruction because of illness.<\/p>\n
The Yogyakarta prosecutors office had ordered a reconstruction
\nbe held to complement police dossiers on Sumaji, but Dibyo said
\nyesterday that the procedure was not needed.<\/p>\n
\"Reconstruction is not essential since the Criminal Code
\nProcedures do not regulate it. It serves only to convince the
\nprosecutors,\" Dibyo said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the health of Udin's wife, Marsiyem, deteriorated
\nyesterday. Reporters who visited the widow in Yogyakarta were
\ntold by Udin's father she could not leave her bed.<\/p>\n
A doctor has diagnosed Marsiyem as suffering from depression.<\/p>\n
Jakarta-based magazine Gatra gave Marsiyem Rp 3 million
\n(US$1,300) in cash on its second anniversary yesterday. Another
\ncash donation of Rp 1 million was given by the magazine to
\nSumaji's wife, Sunarti.<\/p>\n
Separately, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
\nAffairs Soesilo Soedarman called yesterday for the investigation
\nto follow the proper procedures.<\/p>\n
\"Everything must abide by the presumption of innocence
\nprinciple,\" Soesilo said. (23\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-firm-on-suspect-in-udin-murder-case-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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