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)