Former Singaporean convict arrested

Former Singaporean convict arrested

MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra Police arrested a former
Singaporean convict who was allegedly engaged in the gun trade in
Medan on Jan. 26, but they released him due to lack of evidence.

Police caught the suspect, identified only as NY, 50, in a
hotel in Medan after gaining information from locals leading to
suspicions of his involvement.

NY, who said he was a retired major, said he was once detained
in a penitentiary in Riau in 1990.

According to a court report which was stipulated by the Batam
Prosecutor's Office in 1990, NY was released after serving three
months and 18 days in jail.

Sources said NY often went to Medan on behalf of a foreign
company.

Medan has seen a number of crimes involving arms in the past
few months. Last Monday, a gun fight between eight alleged
robbers and a victim ended in the death of one of the robbers
after he was shot by the victim in the attempted crime on Jl.
Medan-Belawan. The police responded by forming a special team to
investigate armed suspects.

Police chief Brig. Gen. Sutiyono claims he is unable to say
whether the weapons involved included those from the military and
police. (21/01)