Connflicting testimonies in mark Ari's trial

Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Witnesses gave conflicting testimonies during the trial of former president Soeharto's grandson Ari Haryo Wibowo (alias Ari Sigit) at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday.

Presiding judge Heri Suwantoro even once raised his voice to warn one of the witnesses, Ganjar Sutardi, the security guard at Ari's house.

"Please be firm and strict to what you think is right because your statements are far different from what you have told police," Heri said.

Defendant Ari, wearing a light-green shirt, smiled and shook his head as judge Heri aired his warning.

Ari, 31, is charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty or be jailed for life.

Other witnesses who were summoned to give evidence were Comr. Rohimat from the Jakarta Police detective unit, Aji Darmadi, the secretary of the 01 neighboring group in Menteng, and Amir, a security coordinator at Ari's house.

Ganjar said that on Aug. 13 police officers did not produce a warrant to search Ari's house on Jl. Yusuf Adiwinata.

"I was sleeping at the other house and somebody woke me up telling me there were policemen. I went to Pak Ari's house and police were already inside the house," Ganjar said.

According to the judge, in his statement to police, Ganjar said he had met with the officers at the front gate and was shown a warrant before allowing the officers to enter.

Earlier, officer Rohimat, who once told the police that he found the bullets inside a bag, told the hearing that he did not see exactly where the bullets were when they were found.

When asked to comment on the conflicting statements made by the witnesses, prosecutor Surung Aritonang said, "Maybe they interpreted what the judges asked differently so they gave different responses. Anyway, the questioning (with the police) was a long time ago. They could not repeat exactly the same sentences."

Surung also said the conflicting statements were not substantial and therefore there was no need to focus on the matters.

Meanwhile, one of Ari's lawyers, Juan Felix Tampubolon, said they would seek support from a panel of judges to clarify the conflicting matters.