Banurusman calls for restraint in attack aftermath
Banurusman calls for restraint in attack aftermath
JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman asked for
public restraint yesterday after the four lawyers defending the
suspects in the Acan robbery and rape case were attacked last
week.
Banurusman made the plea after opening the 1995 police
technology fair at the Police Science College in South Jakarta.
The four lawyers, Petrus Bala Pattyona, Hendar Puji Astoro,
Aidi Johan, and Ismail were beaten by an angry mob during the
pre-trial procedures on Tuesday.
The session at the Bekasi district court was held to look into
complaints brought in by the defense lawyers, who have sued the
Bekasi police for illegally arresting the suspects.
Eleven suspects were arrested last month on charges of having
robbed Acan and raped his wife and two teenage daughters in a
small, isolated village in the Bekasi area, 30 kilometers east of
Jakarta.
During the first session of the pre-trial procedures held on
Monday the lawyers had to hide in a photocopy store to seek
protection from the angry mob.
During the second session on the next day, the lawyers were
stoned and beaten by the mob outside the court. Police and anti-
riot troops were hardly able to protect the lawyers.
Two of the lawyers, Petrus Bala Pattyona and Hendar Puji
Astoro, were injured in the incident.
"Police appreciate the lawyers's duties but we also understand
the spontaneous anger of the mob," Banurusman said, adding that
the incidents were not provoked.
The Institution for Community Studies and Advocacy (ELSAM)
has, meanwhile, expressed its regret over the incident.
In a press release ELSAM stated that the embarrassing incident
threatened the existence of lawyers whose duty is to serve and
protect every citizen.
Security
ELSAM said it regretted the lack of security preparations made
by the police in anticipating such incidents.
Presiding over the opening ceremony of the 1995 police
technology fair, Banurusman said the fair was held to assess
current technological needs and capabilities of the Indonesian
police.
According to the Police College governor and committee
chairman of the fair, Maj. Gen. Momo Kelana, the four-day fair is
displaying police equipment already owned by the Indonesian
police as well as future necessities.
More than 50 participants are taking part in the fair,
including city police offices from all over Indonesia, state
owned-companies, government institutions and foreign countries
such as the U.S., Brunei and Korea. (01)