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)