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)