Judges Probe Scenario Changes Leading to Death of Jakarta Bank Branch Head
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The panel of judges at the Military Court II-08 Jakarta has highlighted changes in the scenario in the case of the alleged kidnapping and murder of a bank branch head in Jakarta, initialled MIP (37), which ultimately led to the victim’s death.
Initially, Presiding Judge Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto questioned Antonius Aditia Majarjuna (witness 4) regarding the discrepancy between the initial plan and what occurred in the field.
“In the initial plan, it was supposed to be peaceful. Why did it turn into involving thugs? That connotation already points towards coercive methods. Does that mean there was automatically an element of violence in the plan?” asked the judge.
“That’s why, how did it stray from the path. Why seek out officials, why then seek out thugs, and even the defendant ended up seeking out those black figures,” the judge continued.
In his testimony, Antonius, who is also a defendant in a separate case file at the Jakarta Timur District Court, stated that the initial scenario devised by tutorial business entrepreneur Dwi Hartono did not involve violent actions.
The plan was said to only aim to persuade the victim to cooperate in transferring funds from dormant accounts.
According to Antonius, the approach designed was persuasive, involving the presence of officials to apply psychological pressure, not through physical actions.
In fact, Dwi Hartono initially requested that the victim remain in good health because the process would be carried out in the busy branch office environment.
“The victim had to be in a healthy condition, because the plan was to be done in the branch head’s room, with employees, security guards, and customers present,” said Antonius.
The judge assessed that there was a significant shift from the initial plan until the involvement of other parties outside the scenario.
However, Antonius claimed he did not know exactly how that change occurred. He also denied his involvement in decisions leading to the use of violence.
“I don’t know about that,” said Antonius.
During the trial, differences in statements regarding the parties requested to be involved were also revealed.
Antonius stated that Dwi Hartono preferred the involvement of officials over thugs, as they were considered more convincing and authoritative.
Nevertheless, the facts on the ground showed the involvement of other parties suspected to be outside the initial plan.
This is what has become the focus of the panel of judges’ in-depth examination to uncover who changed the scenario, leading to violent actions.
Of the seven witnesses summoned to attend and provide testimony, only four witnesses fulfilled the call, namely Antonius Aditia Majarjuna (witness 4), Yohanes Joko Pamuntas (witness 5), Muhamad Umri (witness 6), and David Setia Darmawan (witness 7).
The three witnesses who did not attend were Rohman Agung Asmoro (witness 1), Candy alias Ken (witness 2), and Dwi Hartono (witness 3).