Police must solve Udin murder case, expert says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the decision of Dwi Sumaji, alias Iwik,
\nnot to sue police, the investigation into the unsolved murder of
\njournalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, alias Udin, must continue, a
\nlegal expert said here yesterday.<\/p>\n
University of Indonesia Professor Loebby Loqman said police
\nmust prove their professionalism by finding Udin's real murderer.<\/p>\n
\"The police still have to finish their work,\" Loebby told The
\nJakarta Post when asked to comment on Iwik's decision not to sue
\nthe police after being recently acquitted of the murder charges.<\/p>\n
Iwik had been wrongly indicted for the murder of the Bernas
\ndaily journalist who was slain in his house in Bantul regency,
\nsouth of Yogyakarta, in August 1996.<\/p>\n
Many believed Udin was murdered because of his critical news
\nreports concerning alleged corruption in the regency's
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Police hurriedly completed an investigation and charged Iwik
\nfor the murder. But the case against Iwik did not hold up in
\ncourt and it was later discovered that police had tampered with
\nevidence.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors in the end asked the judges to drop the case and
\nallow Iwik to be released.<\/p>\n
Since his release on Nov. 27, Iwik had contemplated a lawsuit
\nagainst police for falsely charging him with the crime.<\/p>\n
Loebby yesterday brushed away concerns that Iwik's decision
\nnot to go ahead with the suit would nullify efforts to establish
\na tough rule of law in which police would be held accountable for
\nwrongful arrests.<\/p>\n
\"Iwik's decision is just normal, it's his right, and I think
\nit will not have such a far-reaching effect,\" he said. \"It only
\nleaves a lesson for law enforcers to be more professional.\"<\/p>\n
\"Besides, Iwik might have been tired of being in the
\nspotlight,\" Loebby added.<\/p>\n
Iwik announced Friday that he would not press ahead with the
\nlawsuit.<\/p>\n
The announcement came amid another controversy as Iwik's
\nlawyers had apparently leaked Iwik's written statement before it
\nwas announced. The leaked statement somehow made its way to the
\nNational Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Iwik's lawyers said all of Iwik's legal affairs
\ndealing with the case had been concluded and he no longer needed
\nto retain their services.<\/p>\n
Eko Widianto, one of Iwik's lawyers, had admitted to faxing
\nthe statement to a person he would not identify.<\/p>\n
He said the statement was delivered as a mere notification
\nwithout any intent of publication or further transmission to
\nhigher authorities.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, lawyers of Udin's family said Friday that Iwik's
\ndecision would not weaken their efforts to fight for their rights
\nwhich had been violated by police during the investigation.<\/p>\n
\"Udin's family wants Udin's name cleared from the allegations
\nof an extramarital love affair,\" said Budi Hartono of the
\nYogyakarta Legal Aid Institute.<\/p>\n
In their concocted scenario, police claimed Iwik's motive for
\nmurdering Udin was that the journalist was having an affair with
\nhis wife, Marsiyem.<\/p>\n
\"We respect Iwik's decision as long as it was not made under
\nany duress,\" Budi said. \"But, Udin's family will keep fighting
\nuntil the real murderer is found.\"<\/p>\n
Budi said the police should step up their efforts to find the
\nreal culprit since they had just been relieved from the \"burden
\nof being sued\". (44\/aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-must-solve-udin-murder-case-expert-says-1447893297",
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