Bombing defendant says he was victim of conspiracy

Bombing defendant says he was victim of conspiracy

P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Facing a possible five-year sentence, Anang Sumpena reiterated
his innocence in the Feb. 3, 2003, blast at Wisma Bhayangkari
hall in the National Police Headquarters compound, saying he was
a victim of a conspiracy by fellow police officers.

Anang, a former expert specializing in disarming explosive
devices, told the South Jakarta District Court on Monday, "I made
the confession under duress."

The prosecutors charged the defendant with violating Emergency
Law No. 12/1951, which carries a maximum penalty of the death
sentence, and Regulation in lieu of law No. 1/2002 on terrorism,
which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

No one was injured in the February bombing.

Anang denied responsibility in the bombing and said the
charges made against him were a fabrication.

He told the court that he was picked up for questioning
during the city police investigation into the bombing.

At the time, Anang, who had left the force two years
beforehand without formally resigning, was considered a deserter.

According to Anang, in the questioning session on Feb. 15, he
met city police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara and senior
officers Insp. Gen. Tjuk Sugiarto, Brig. Gen. Alex Tangyong and
Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin.

He was told that if he confessed to the bombing he would get
no more than eight months in jail, and would be allowed to return
to the force after serving his time.

"The generals said that they would help fight for me," said
Anang.

He added that the generals also promised to let his younger
sister be a specialist in the women's police force.

He said he was even instructed on the motivation and how the
bomb had been made.

"I was told to say that I felt hurt, as I had never earned the
attention of National Police leaders and that the bombing was
meant to remind them they still had a police expert in
explosives."

On Feb. 28 Anang retracted his confession and rejected the
dossier that was the basis of his indictments, as he discovered
that his sister could not enter the force.

In his defense Anang added that he did not hold grudges, and
that his desertion from the force was because he lacked
discipline and could not fulfill his duties.

Presiding judge Syamsul Ali adjourned the hearing until Dec.
10 to read the verdict.