Lampung police sued for wrongful arrest

Lampung police sued for wrongful arrest

JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers representing a 13-year old boy have
filed for a pretrial hearing with a court in Lampung against the
police, citing wrongful arrest of their client.

The Bandar Lampung office of the Legal Aid Council (LBH) has
joined with the boy's lawyers in filing the suit against the
police in Panengahan in south Lampung.

The lawyers said their client was picked up by the police on
Aug. 15 as a suspect in the rape of a 10-year old girl.

Police never produced a warrant for his arrest nor did they
bother to give one yesterday, according to Pardomuan Simanjuntak
of the LBH office in Lampung.

Pardomuan said that in addition to the wrongful procedure, the
arrest was also illegal because at 13 he is still considered a
minor.

The arrest is not only wrong but a violation of human rights,
he said.

The lawyers, on behalf of the boy's parents, are pressing for
the release of the boy and Rp 20 million ($9.200) in
compensation. They also demanded a public apology by the police
claiming that the rape accusation has tarnished the boy's name.
(rms)