Army ready to help police investigate fatal robbery

JAKARTA (JP): The Army has threatened to take strong action against any member proved to have been involved in last month's armed robbery and the subsequent violent death of a suspect in Bogor police custody.

Responding to speculations about the involvement of army members in the case, spokesman Brig. Gen. Robik Mukav said "No excuses would be provided for the perpetrators."

The Army was ready to help police investigate the toll road armed robbery, which caused the deaths of Zaenuddin Lesmana and suspect Tjetje Tadjudin, said Robik.

"We are ready to deploy a special team to help the police if they encounter difficulties in their investigation, especially because there is the alleged involvement of military corps in the armed robbery and the death of Tjetje Tadjudin," Robik said.

He denied allegations that the Army intended to influence police investigation or shield members who committed crimes. He guaranteed the Army would remain objective.

"What is the use of protecting murderers? It would be a very costly exercise for an organization like the Army," he said.

When asked about Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung's earlier claim that no soldiers had been involved in the robbery and murder, Robik said it had been "a conditional statement."

"Military leaders get daily reports of cases involving the Armed Forces. Gen. Feisal's statement was valid only for the day he issued it," he said.

He pointed out that public statements could differ as a case progressed.

National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said last week that soldiers may have been involved in the armed robbery. Police found shells from an FN 45 gun, one of the official guns used by the Indonesian Army, near the scene of the crime.

But no soldiers were involved in the violence that led to the death of Tjetje Tadjudin, said Dibyo.

The National Commission on Human Rights conducted an investigation into the armed robbery and the murder after receiving complaints about police mistreatment from relatives of the robbery's two suspects, Tjetje Tadjudin and Norman Lubis.

Tjetje and Norman, initially witnesses, were detained for their alleged roles in the robbery which killed Zaenuddin Lesmana, a property development company employee.

Zaenuddin had just withdrawn Rp 650 million (US$ 276,478), belonging to his employer, from the BRI bank in Bogor when three men in a Kijang van intercepted his car. One of the men shot Zaenuddin and stole Rp 350 million from the trunk. Tjetje and Norman were in the car but escaped unhurt.

Police investigations found that Tjetje and Norman were involved and they were detained at Bogor Police prison.

Ten days later, police said Tjetje died from "respiratory problems" while being transported to Bogor's PMI hospital. The hospital said Tjetje had been tortured to death. (imn)