Slain journalist's widow refuses examination<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Marsiyem, the wife of slain journalist Fuad
\nMuhammad Syafruddin, answered a police summons yesterday but
\nrefused to undergo a psychiatric examination to determine whether
\nshe could withstand further questioning.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by her lawyers, Ari Suseta, Winarsa and Budi
\nHartono, Marsiyem went to the Yogyakarta police station but told
\nchief investigator Lt. Col. Hanifan she was not willing to be
\ntaken to hospital to be examined.<\/p>\n
She was also accompanied by Soemardi, the psychiatrist who had
\npreviously diagnosed her as being depressed, saying she should
\nnot be subjected to further questioning lest her condition
\nworsen.<\/p>\n
"I am not willing to be examined. I am still sick," Marsiyem
\ntold Hanifan. She then signed a statement refusing the
\nexamination. She also requested permission to rest in one of the
\npolice station's rooms complaining of fatigue.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Soemardi said Marsiyem was somewhat better but
\nstill weak and unstable. On several earlier occasions, Soemardi
\nhas said Marsiyem's mental health would be put at serious risk if
\npolice persisted with their demands to question her.<\/p>\n
The investigation into the August murder has not progressed
\nsmoothly, being marked by procedural twists and turns that has
\nattracted criticism about the police.<\/p>\n
For instance, the police borrowed a sample of the journalist's
\nblood for investigation, and never returned the remainder. When
\nasked, police said the blood sample had been floated out to sea,
\nin the Javanese tradition of labuh, so that superhuman powers
\nwould not obstruct the investigation.<\/p>\n
Police also arrested Dwi Sumaji, alias Iwik, in a manner that
\ndrew public fire. Police reportedly tried to bribe him, a driver
\nat a local advertising firm, with wealth and position in return
\nfor his confession to the killing. Dwi was also "given a woman"
\nand given alcoholic drinks until he passed out before being taken
\ninto police custody.<\/p>\n
Marsiyem has testified that Dwi was not the man who went to
\nher house on the evening of Aug. 13 and bludgeoned her husband.
\nBut police still insist he is the killer although they have
\nreleased him pending further investigation.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, the lawyers said Marsiyem had the right not to take
\nthe psychiatric examination. Ari Suseta said the Yogyakarta
\npolice, on the other hand, had no right to insist that a witness'
\nhealth be examined.<\/p>\n
According to the Criminal Code, investigators may request
\nphysical and mental examinations for victims only, Ari argued.<\/p>\n
"The investigators are only trying to force their wishes on
\nthe witness," Budi charged.<\/p>\n
Since the death of Fuad, also known as Udin, on Aug. 16,
\nMarsiyem has been questioned seven times. She fell into a deep
\ndepression and was reportedly unable to recognize people several
\ndays before the police held a reconstruction of the murder late
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
Police held the reconstruction twice, and Marsiyem failed to
\nparticipate in it both times. Dwi has denied killing the
\njournalist.<\/p>\n
Book<\/p>\n
Fuad, a journalist at the Bernas daily, was known for his
\ncritical reporting on the policies of both the Yogyakarta
\nprovincial and Bantul regency administrations. Shortly after he
\ndied on Aug. 16, there was intense speculation about the link
\nbetween his writing and the murder.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, a group of journalists launched a compilation of
\nFuad's writings. Entitled Udin. Darah Wartawan: Liputan Menjelang
\nKematian (Udin. The Blood of a Journalist: Reports Prior to
\nDeath), the book was published by Pustaka Republika and Mizan
\npublishing.<\/p>\n
At a reception at the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian
\nJournalists' Association, the secretary-general of the
\nassociation, Parni Hadi, presented Fuad's father with a copy of
\nthe book. Attending the occasion were poet Emha Ainun Nadjib,
\nsenior journalist Sindhunata and Inspector General of Development
\nKentot Harseno.<\/p>\n
Editor Noorca M. Massardi said the book was published to help
\nthe public understand the kind of writings that had reportedly
\nled to Fuad's death. (23\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/slain-journalists-widow-refuses-examination-1447893297",
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