UKI student tried for kidnapping police officer<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian Christian University (UKI) student
\nwas indicted at the South Jakarta District Court on Monday for
\nkidnapping a police officer.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor M. Purba claimed the defendant, identified as
\nEdward Taurus Benyamin Karo-karo, along with fellow students,
\nabducted Sgt. Maj. Suratman as the victim was taking pictures of
\na student demonstration on Jl. Gatot Subroto on Nov. 27 last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
\"The defendant and his three fellow students grabbed the
\nvictim and pushed him into a taxi,\" Purba said. Two of the other
\nthree students were identified as Rudy Pahala Simatupang and Alex
\nSitumeang. Rudy has been cleared in the case while the other two
\nstudents are still at large.<\/p>\n
He said the defendant and his friends then took the victim to
\nthe UKI campus in Cawang, East Jakarta at about 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Suratman was interrogated by the defendant at the university's
\nsecurity post, he said.<\/p>\n
After tying the victim's hands and blindfolding him, the
\ndefendant then took Suratman to the Nusantara Economic Institute
\non Jl. D.I. Panjaitan in East Jakarta, he said.<\/p>\n
Purba said the South Jakarta Police intelligence officer was
\nlater dumped on a street in the Cawang area.<\/p>\n
The defendant was charged under Article 328 and Article 333
\n(1) of the Criminal Code, which carry a maximum punishment of 12
\nyears in jail and eight years in jail respectively.<\/p>\n
At least 100 students grouped in the City Forum attended the
\ntrial. They arrived at the courthouse at 10 a.m. carrying banners
\nand posters and demanding the release of their friend.<\/p>\n
Edward's lawyer, Pablo Christalo from the Student Movement
\nLawyer Team, denied that his client kidnapped the officer, saying
\nthat the defendant actually saved Suratman from being mobbed by
\nthe demonstrators.<\/p>\n
\"The defendant cannot accept the charges because there was no
\nkidnapping. Edward did not take Suratman into a locked room,\"
\nPablo said.<\/p>\n
Presiding Judge Samsoedin A.B. adjourned the trial until next
\nweek, at which time Pablo will make his statement.<\/p>\n
Edward and Rudi were arrested on Dec. 8 at their respective
\nhouses in Ciganjur, South Jakarta and in Cawang, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The two students at UKI's law school then filed wrongful
\narrest lawsuits against the city police at the South Jakarta
\nDistrict Court.<\/p>\n
In their lawsuits, the two students sought compensation
\namounting to Rp 1.5 million (US$166) for material losses and Rp 1
\nbillion for other losses.<\/p>\n
The court released Rudi on Jan. 7, but rejected Edward's
\nlawsuit on Jan. 23. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/uki-student-tried-for-kidnapping-police-officer-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}