Friend hunted in Yemeni murder

JAKARTA (JP): Police are hunting a friend of a Yemeni man murdered in Hotel Pitagiri in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Monday morning.

"Officers of the Palmerah police subprecinct are looking for the victim's local friend, identified as Rusdi, 25, as some clues have emerged in the case," city police spokesman Lt. Col Edward Aritonang said.

He refused to give further details. "It's all being investigated. But the police have found a strong connection between Rusdi and the killing," he added.

The victim, identified as Hasan Muhammad Yeslam, 26, was found with an open neck wound in room 312 at about 6 a.m. by a hotel security guard, West Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Timur Pradopo said.

The police officers handling the case expressed concern about the hotel management waiting one hour after finding the body before reporting it.

"We were confused and did not know what to do," said Haris, the security man who found the body.

Haris had noticed bloody shoeprints on the hotel stairs.

"I followed the track and found that it led to room 312. I told the hotel manager and then we opened the door. He was already dead when we found him lying on the floor," Haris explained.

Hasan was reportedly in Indonesia on business and ran a garment business here. His local friend, Rusdi, 25, dropped him off at the hotel at about 2 p.m. Sunday. (edt)