Cop may face 7 years over suspect's death

Cop may face 7 years over suspect's death

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Court postponed on Tuesday
the initial hearing of a police officer responsible for the death
of a suspected robber during questioning at South Bekasi Police
office on Oct. 7, 1999.

As the defendant, Second Adj. Insp. Makmur Sinuaji, 40, has
yet to be assisted by lawyers. Presiding judge Lt. Col S.
Djuwariyah decided to adjourn the hearing until March 28 when
lawyers are expected to accompany the officer in court.

Military prosecutor Maj. Djodi Suranto said the defendant had
violated Article 351 of the Criminal Code on committing acts of
torture that causes death to others.

The Article carries a maximum punishment of seven years in
prison.

Djodi said Makmur had tortured the suspect during questioning
of the late Nasarudin, 22, who was reported by an employee of
state telecommunication firm PT Telkom, identified as Endang
Suryana, to have stolen his tape measure on Jl. Siput 4 near Kali
Malang in Bekasi on Oct. 7, 1999.

Nasarudin was arrested at the police subprecinct office. But,
four days later he died at Kramatjati Police Hospital in East
Jakarta after suffering excessive internal bleeding in his
stomach and from respiratory infections.

The defendant has not been arrested and was performing his
duties at the police subprecinct as normal until he was summoned
to the first hearing at the military court.

"As the defendant is an active police officer, we are sure he
will not escape. So, the defendant's detention is not required,"
Djodi said.

Meanwhile, the mother of the dead suspect, Siti Aminah
Iskandar, told the Jakarta Post that she was sure her son did not
steal the tape measure.

"My son was walking along Jl. Siput when he saw a tape measure
lying on the road. He picked it up because he thought it was
deliberately abandoned," she said.

The 52-year-old widow said she could not accept the death of
her son and vowed to fight for justice until the end of her life.
(01)