Doubs loom as Tomy's trial begins
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
One of the biggest trials in Indonesia's history is commencing. Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former president Soeharto, is scheduled to appear at the Central Jakarta District Court today (Wednesday) on a murder charge.
Tommy is accused of masterminding the murder of Supreme Court justice Syafiuddin M. Kartasasmita, who sentenced him to 18 months jail for corruption.
He will also be charged with illegal possession of ammunition and firearms and fleeing from justice.
If found guilty of murder or illegal possession of ammunition and firearms, Tommy could be sentenced to death.
Even though he is accused of committing serious crimes, the prosecutors do not seem to be very serious in preparing the indictment, which is only 29 pages and lacks details.
In the charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, for example, the indictment did not mention clearly how Tommy got the weapons and the reasons why he bought them.
Worse, in the murder charges, the prosecutors did not stipulate clearly the reasons why Tommy wanted to murder Syafiuddin.
The police had earlier accused Tommy of masterminding the series of bombings in Jakarta and other towns in the country. But they later dropped the charges due to a lack of evidence.
Tommy's accomplice, Elize Maria Tuwahatu, who was sentenced to 10 years jail for illegal possession of bombs, told the East Jakarta District Court last year that the bombs belonged to Tommy. But she later withdrew the statement, saying they were given to her by a man who looked like Tommy.
Tommy's trial will be handled by Amiruddin Zakaria, with the members being I Ketut Gede and Andi Samsan Nganro.
Amiruddin is the judge who sentenced Endin Wahyudin to three months in jail for defaming two Supreme Court justices. Endin was a witness who reported a bribery scandal involving the Supreme Court.
Andi, who is also the spokesman of the court, told The Jakarta Post that the police would safeguard the hearing. Several policemen would check visitors entering the court compound.
"This is not meant to screen visitors but we only want order (during Tommy's hearing)", Andi said.
Many believe that Tommy's trial will become a test case for legal reform in the country.
In 2000, the South Jakarta District Court suspended the corruption trial of Soeharto on the grounds that the defendant was too ill to be tried. One day before the judge announced the decision, a bomb exploded in an empty minibus parked across the court compound. There were no injuries. The explosion remained a mystery.
Chronology of Tommy's Case
Date, Scene
April 5, 1999: Tommy and businessman Ricardo Gelael prosecuted for corruption Oct. 14, 1999: S. Jakarta District Court acquitted Tommy and Ricardo of graft charges Nov. 10, 1999: Attorney General's Office appealed to Supreme Court Sept. 26, 2000: Supreme Court sentenced Tommy and Ricardo to 18 months jail each Nov. 2, 2000: President Abdurrahman Wahid refused to give Tommy a presidential pardon Nov. 3, 2000: Tommy escaped July 26, 2001: Supreme Court justice M. Syafiuddin Kartasasmita shot to death Oct.1, 2001: Supreme Court overturned its earlier verdict and acquitted Tommy of graft Nov.28, 2001: Tommy arrested and detained at the Jakarta Police headquarters Feb.20, 2002: Tommy started his first day at the Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta after police handed over his dossiers to the Jakarta prosecutors' office Feb.20, 2002: Tommy's accomplice Hetty Siti Hartika sentenced to four years jail for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition March 7, 2002: Jakarta Prosecutor's Office submitted Tommy's case files to Central Jakarta District Court March 20, 2002: Central Jakarta District Court scheduled to begin Tommy's trial
Source: The Jakarta Post