Police tortured the suspects, witness in murder trial says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The trial of two men accused of murdering
\nbusinessman Darmansyah Sujadi alias Nyo Beng Seng took a new
\ntwist yesterday after a witness testified that he saw police
\nofficers torturing the suspects.<\/p>\n
Ruhut Sitompul, the defendants' lawyer, said that in November
\nlast year he was visiting City Police headquarters to fulfill a
\nsummons regarding a different case.<\/p>\n
Ruhut said it was then that he saw Agiono bin Safran and
\nSuhartono, alias Atok, the two defendants in the murder case, in
\nthe interrogation room. \"I saw Agiono and Atok being beaten black
\nand blue. I know this was improper.\"<\/p>\n
He said he was noticed by an officer that was administering
\nthe beating and warned him to keep his mouth shut.<\/p>\n
\"Lt. Petrus said he would kill me if I told anyone about the
\nincident,\" he told presiding judge Sumardjono at the North
\nJakarta District Court.<\/p>\n
Ruhut is a lawyer closely associated with Pemuda Pancasila, a
\npowerful youth organization.<\/p>\n
His testimony strengthened the suspects' claim that they had
\nbeen tortured by their interrogators and were forced to sign
\nstatements that incriminated them in the murder.<\/p>\n
Agiono and Atok have admitted in court to murdering Nyo Beng
\nSeng in April 1994, but stressed that it was carried out in self
\ndefense and not premeditated as charged.<\/p>\n
The government prosecutors have said that the two were
\nassassins hired by another businessman, Hong Lie, because the
\nvictim failed to pay up the Rp 600 million ($275,000) he owed.<\/p>\n
The defendants also denied the accusation that Hong Lie gave
\nRp 400 million ($182,000) to an officer to close the murder case.<\/p>\n
Beng Seng was an owner of PT Irama Tara, a leading recording
\ncompany, as well as several massage parlors and night clubs in
\nJakarta. He was also a contact person for Indonesians who wanted
\nto gamble at exclusive places overseas, such as in Malaysia, Hong
\nKong, and Australia.<\/p>\n
Police said seven people were involved in the murder. The
\nother five suspects -- identified as Ahak, Barki, Agus, Yudi, and
\nPramono -- are still at large. Hong Lie, who is now believed to
\nbe in Singapore, is also wanted in connection with the murder.<\/p>\n
Interpol Indonesia said the City Police should issue a warrant
\nfor the arrest of Hong Lie if they want Singapore Interpol to
\nassist in apprehending the man.<\/p>\n
An officer at Interpol Indonesia said his office sent a letter
\nto the City Police four months ago but so far had not yet
\nreceived an answer.<\/p>\n
\"We don't know whether the City Police are slow or if they
\nhave another reason for not issuing the warrant,\" the
\nunidentified officer told Kompas. (29)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-tortured-the-suspects-witness-in-murder-trial-says-1447893297",
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