Defendant misses retrial over journalist's death

Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

The Yogyakarta Military Tribunal opened on Wednesday the retrial of Second Adj. Edy Wuryanto, a policeman who is accused of confiscating a notebook belonging to slain journalist Fuad Syafruddin, alias Udin.

The defendant, however, failed to show up at court, prompting judges to postpone the retrial until the end of this month.

Military Prosecutor Lt. Col. Sumartono, who is also the head of the Yogyakarta Military prosecution office, told the court that he could not present the defendant because he had been assigned to duty in conflict-torn Poso, Central Sulawesi.

"Police Com. Adj. Rudi Haryanto at Police Headquarters informed me via telephone just last night," Sumartono told the judges -- Lt. Col. Riza Thalib, Maj. Sinoeng Hardjanti and Capt. Puspayadi.

Presiding Judge Lt. Col. Riza Thalib expressed disappointment over Wuryanto's failure to attend the session and accused Police Headquarters of making up excuses so the defendant would not have to attend the trial.

"There are many other police officers who could be assigned there (to Poso). Why should they (the police) assign him, a person with a trial? Besides, who is Edy Wuryanto? He is not a general. Why is it so difficult to present him at court?" Riza said.

He also ordered prosecutors to present Wuryanto when the retrial resumed later this month and to coordinate with police top brass in Jakarta to ensure the defendant's attendance.

"I myself will send a report to the National Police Chief and ask him to let the defendant appear at court. This is a very old case -- it's been nearly ten years. We have the responsibility to find the truth," Riza told the court.

Udin, a journalist with local daily newspaper Bernas, was attacked by unidentified persons at his home in Bantul on Aug. 13, 1996, and died three days later from his injuries at Yogyakarta Bethesda Hospital without regaining consciousness.

Udin was renowned for his critical reports on the local administration's policies and corrupt practices.

Wuryanto, currently assigned to the National Police Headquarters' detectives unit, was the former coordinator of a team established by Bantul Police to investigate Udin's murder.

Dwi Sumaji, alias Iwik, was once tried as the sole suspect in the murder case, but was eventually acquitted due to the lack of evidence. Many believed that Iwik was just a scapegoat arranged by Edy's team.

In August 2001, Wuryanto was sentenced to 10 months in jail for withholding Udin's notebook -- a key piece of evidence -- that he once borrowed from Udin's family.

Wuryanto filed an appeal with the higher military court, which ordered the Yogyakarta Military Court to retry the case on the grounds that the previous trial contained legal flaws.