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.