Lawyers demand Gunawan's mom free

JAKARTA: The lawyers of the family of Gunawan Santosa asked the police to release Gunawan's 68-year-old mother Mulyati, who is being detained for allegedly smuggling a pistol used in her son's foiled escape attempt on March 30.

Lawyer Hendra Heriansyah told Tempo News Room on Saturday that the appeal had been filed on Friday night with the National Police Headquarters. He expected a reply in three days.

"She is very old and is supposed to undergo a medical check every week. She has been in detention for several days and has already lost four kilograms ... The police should suspend the detention," he said.

Mulyati has been detained at the Jakarta Police Headquarters for intensive investigation since April 13.

She allegedly secreted a .32mm caliber Beretta pistol inside a speaker, which was taken to Gunawan's prison cell in Salemba penitentiary.

Gunawan has been charged with the murder of PT Arena Sarana Bakti president director Boedyharto Angsono, who was also his former father-in-law. He tried to escape while being transported from the prison to the North Jakarta District Court.

Three people have been declared suspects in the escape attempt, two of whom are inmates. Another three suspects -- including Mulyati -- have been named in connection with the pistol smuggling. -- JP