Human rights body's investigation to be completed soon

Human rights body's investigation to be completed soon

BOGOR, West Java (JP): The National Commission on Human
Rights' fact finding team pledged yesterday to complete its
investigation into the death of robbery suspect Tjetje Tadjudin
while in Bogor police custody, before Nov. 5.

The team's spokesman Bambang W. Soeharto said the
investigation's results would be made public soon after the
investigation was finished.

Bambang made the statements after the team met the deputy
chief of Bogor Regency Police, Lt. Col. Bambang Hendarso and Lt.
Col. Ruslan Riza, the superior of the main suspect First Lt. DT.

"We have not yet come to any conclusion. We have just checked
and cross-checked the reports on the death of Tjetje. We must be
extra careful in handling such a case," Bambang said.

The investigation came after complaints from the wives of
suspects Tjetje and Norman, about the improper treatment by
police officers who killed Tjetje. The women went to the
Commission on Monday.

Tjetje and Norman, who were initially interrogated as
witnesses, were detained for their alleged roles in an armed
robbery which killed their friend, Zaenuddin Lesmana. Bogor
police believed the two were involved in a Rp 350 million robbery
on the Jagorawi turnpike on Oct. 11.

Tjetje and Norman were in Zaenuddin's car when the robbery
took place.

Ten days after they were in police custody, police announced
Tjetje had died of "respiratory problems." However, a Bogor PMI
hospital autopsy said Tjetje's body was beaten black and blue.

West Java Police Chief Maj. Gen. Nana Permana then announced
the head of Bogor police detectives, First Lt. DT was the main
suspect in Tjetje's death.

The team consisting of Bambang, Djoko Soegianto and Clementino
dos Reis Amaral, toured the police cells and talked with Norman
Lubis.

They team also visited the Bogor military police office.

In a good shape

"Norman is in a good shape. He gets proper treatment. He has
been visited by relatives four times and is accompanied by a
lawyer during questioning. Everything is in order," Bambang said.

Bambang reiterated that his statements were based on his
interview with Norman during the visit. "Norman told me the
doctor was sent to him once when he felt ill. So there is no
violations of his rights as a suspect," he said.

After meeting with Bogor police and military police officials,
the team went to Bandung to meet the West Java Police Chief Maj.
Gen. Nana Permana.

After more than two hours with Bandung police officials,
Bambang said it hailed the arrest of DT, "but investigation into
the robbery itself was also very important. We asked the police
to probe the robbery seriously. We will find out if Tjetje and
Norman are guilty of the robbery only after police unravel the
robbery."

Bambang would not reveal all of his conversation with DT, but
he said DT admitted to being responsible for Tjetje's death.

Bambang said the team found that, technically, DT had done a
good job. "Making witnesses suspects needs special skill". He
said the torture took place because the interrogator lost his
temper. (17/21/sur)