Legal process to continue against Damanik: Police
Legal process to continue against Damanik: Police
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday that
legal proceedings against Rev. Renaldy Danamik would continue
despite increasing doubts over the legality of his arrest.
"The legal process will continue against him as we are certain
that our allegations are true," Da'i said after a meeting with
Vice President Hamzah Haz.
Danamik, one of the Christian leaders who signed the Malino
peace agreement to end the long-running conflicts between Muslim
and Christian communities in Poso, Central Sulawesi, was arrested
at the Police Headquarters in Jakarta last week for alleged
possession of illegal weapons.
Police investigators said that they found several home-made
rifles and bullets in Danamik's car, but the Christian leader
disavowed ownership of the weapons, accusing the police of
planting the weapons in his car.
Attempts to arrest Danamik in Poso were foiled by his
congregation, prompting police to invite him to Jakarta for
questioning. He was declared a suspect on Tuesday.
In Poso, Central Sulawesi Police Chief Brig. Gen. Zainal
Abidin said on Friday that the security condition in Poso
remained calm after the arrest of Damanik.
"The stronghold of Damanik's followers in Tentena regency is
also calm," Zainal was quoted as saying by Antara.
Meanwhile, at least 28 non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
in Poso, Central Sulawesi are planning to meet and formulate
programs to put an end to the violence that has claimed thousands
of innocent lives.
The two-day meeting, which starts on Saturday, will try to
find a comprehensive solution to the conflicts and ensure a fair
distribution of aid in the strife-torn regency.
"An unfair distribution of aid could create new tension among
victims and this has to be improved through better coordination
among non-governmental organizations involved in distribution of
relief goods," head of the Poso Peace Team Darwis Waru said.