Edy admits to hiding evidence

Edy admits to hiding evidence

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Sec. Adj. Insp. Edy Wuryanto, who is being
tried by the military tribunal here for concealing evidence in
the murder of local journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, also
known as Udin, admitted to the panel of judges that he had taken
and concealed a notebook belonging to Udin.

In the second day of his trial, Edy, a detective at the
National Police headquarters, said that he had no idea where the
notebook was now.

"I think I have lost it. It's been five years since the
investigation took place," the defendant told the court, presided
over by Col. Hani Sumarni.

Prosecutor Col. Roesdi said that the defendant had violated
Article 417 of the Criminal Code on power abuse, which carries a
maximum punishment of five-and-a-half years imprisonment, and
Article 372 on concealing evidence, bearing a maximum punishment
of four years in jail.

The military prosecutors also accused Edy of violating Article
203, line 1, of the Military Criminal Code on trespassing
command.

The prosecutor revealed that Edy had hidden Udin's notebook
which was believed to contain notes regarding an alleged
corruption case involving the then Bantul regent.

Edy's trial had previously been suspended for 10 months. He
was scheduled to attend a trial on Sept. 19 and 21, 2000, but
failed to show up, without providing any clear explanation. Edy
has been in the custody of Yogyakarta police since July 13.

The trial was adjourned until July 31. (swa/44)