Prosecutors named for Oki's trial<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The chief of the City Prosecutor's Office,
\nSuyoto, has appointed Abdul Muis Gasing to handle the trial of
\nHarnoko Dewantono alias Oki, who is alleged to have falsified
\nIndonesian passports.<\/p>\n
Suyoto said during a fast breaking gathering at the attorney
\ngeneral's office that his office has also appointed prosecutor
\nSoeyitno to assist Abdul Muis in the trial.<\/p>\n
He said the venue of the trial will be at the South Jakarta
\nDistrict Court. \"It will be held after the Idul Fitri
\ncelebrations.\"<\/p>\n
Thirty-year old Oki, who was arrested by the police on Feb. 7,
\nis also wanted by the Los Angeles Police Department in connection
\nwith the killing of his younger brother, Eri Tri Harto Darmawan,
\nan Indonesian woman, Gina Sutan Aswar, and Suresh Mirchandani, an
\nIndian businessman.<\/p>\n
Police sources said Oki forged the passports mainly to obtain
\nduty reductions on his belongings when he returned to Indonesia
\nfrom California.<\/p>\n
Oki allegedly used Eri's passport, identified as a student,
\nand replaced the photograph with one of his own.<\/p>\n
Oki is suspected to have at least six passports in six
\ndifferent names.<\/p>\n
Suyoto said there is a possibility that the prosecutor's
\noffice will summon various witnesses to testify as expert
\nwitnesses, such as the director general of immigration.<\/p>\n
\"So far we do not need the presence of the director general of
\nimmigration,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Director General of Immigration Roni Sikap Sinuraya, told
\nreporters on a separate occasion that he is ready to help the
\ncity prosecutor's office with the investigation of the passport
\nforgery allegations.<\/p>\n
Suyoto also said the city prosecutor is waiting for the result
\nof the police investigation on the three murders, allegedly
\ncommitted by Oki in Los Angeles between 1991 and 1992, before
\narraigning Oki.<\/p>\n
\"We will appoint the prosecutor who will prosecute him in the
\nmurder case right after the police have handed over the
\ndossiers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Last December, the Los Angeles police named Oki as the main
\nsuspect in the murders of Gina Sutan Aswar, Eri Tri Harto
\nDarmawan and Surish Mirchandani.<\/p>\n
Their decomposed bodies were found in a storage locker last
\nAugust and were not identified until four months later.<\/p>\n
Oki has been in police custody since early January, though he
\nwas initially arrested in connection with passport forgery.<\/p>\n
The U.S. government earlier this month asked the Indonesian
\ngovernment to deport Oki so that be could be brought to trial in
\nthe United States. But there is a strong indication that Oki will
\nbe tried in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
\nSoesilo Soedarman said on Thursday that the Indonesian government
\ncannot expel one of its own citizens.<\/p>\n
According to Soesilo, a formal rejection of the U.S. request
\nis now being drawn up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (mas)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prosecutors-named-for-okis-trial-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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