Udin's alleged killer freed from murder charge<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Prosecutors yesterday dropped their case
\nagainst Dwi Sumadji, accused of murdering Bernas daily journalist
\nFuad Muhammad Syafrudin, and called for his release after
\nconceding there was insufficient evidence to support their case.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Amrin Naim told the court that the indictment
\nagainst Dwi Sumadji, alias Iwik, was not supported by material
\nevidence or credible testimony.<\/p>\n
The court will still reconvene next week as defense lawyers
\nsay they still want to read Iwik's defense.<\/p>\n
But unless presiding judge at Bantul District Court, Judge
\nEndang Sri Murwati, comes up with a shock decision, the
\nprosecution's request means Iwik is cleared of all charges
\nagainst him.<\/p>\n
The controversial trial which began in March has brought
\nforward over 31 witnesses for the prosecution, and not one has
\nsupported the charge against 31-year-old driver.<\/p>\n
Iwik was charged with the murder of Syafrudin, alias Udin, who
\nwas assaulted at his home by an unidentified man on Aug. 13 last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Udin died three days later without regaining consciousness.<\/p>\n
There has been widespread speculation that Udin was murdered
\nfor his exposes on corruption in the area.<\/p>\n
Police insisted that he was killed because of jealousy over a
\nlove affair.<\/p>\n
The prosecution attempted to claim that the journalist was
\nmurdered because he was having an affair Iwik's wife.<\/p>\n
But the trial could never established this charge.<\/p>\n
Iwik's wife, Sunarti, testified that she had never had an
\naffair with Udin who she knew only when they were in high school.<\/p>\n
Iwik claims he was forced by police to admit a crime he did
\nnot commit.<\/p>\n
Iwik retracted a previous confession to the crime, and said he
\nhad never even met the journalist.<\/p>\n
Instead, he said that Edy, a police officer, had prepared a
\n\"scenario\" casting him as the killer.<\/p>\n
Iwik claimed the whole case was a cover-up to protect Bantul
\nRegent Sri Roso Soedarmo.<\/p>\n
From the beginning the investigation into the case has been
\nmarred by irregularities.<\/p>\n
At one stage, police Sgt. Maj. Edy Wuryanto was brought to
\ncourt as a witness and it was discovered that he had tampered
\nwith some of the evidence, namely a sample of Udin's blood.<\/p>\n
After hearing the prosecution's statement yesterday, the
\npeople in the court gallery cried out for joy.<\/p>\n
The packed Bantul courthouse came alive as people rushed to
\ncongratulate Iwik and his family.<\/p>\n
Iwik himself looked more relieved than happy.<\/p>\n
\"I'm glad that justice still exists,\" Iwik said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights
\nAssociation (PBHI) said in a statement yesterday that police must
\nreinvestigate the case.<\/p>\n
PBHI said the investigation should be directed at Bantul
\nregency officials and Sgt. Maj. Edy Wuryanto who reportedly
\ncoerced a false confession from Iwik.<\/p>\n
\"The investigation must be carried out as soon as possible to
\nuphold the principle of \"equality before the law,\" PBHI's
\nstatement said.<\/p>\n
It said the irregularities and controversies which popped up
\nin the case could be an entry point for police to start their new
\ninvestigation. (swa\/23\/10)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/udins-alleged-killer-freed-from-murder-charge-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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