Maluku councilor named suspect

Maluku councilor named suspect

AMBON, Maluku: Provincial police stepped up an investigation
on Friday into a Maluku councillor who was reportedly caught
carrying two assembled bombs last month.

"Darul Qutni Tuhepali, a member of the provincial council from
the United Development Party (PPP), has been declared a suspect
in a case of illegal possession of weaponry," Maluku Police chief
Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said here on Friday.

The police have submitted a letter to the Ministry of Home
Affairs requesting permission to continue with the legal process
and the investigation into the councilor, he said.

Darul was allegedly caught red-handed in possession of
assembled bombs by joint security forces -- comprising marines,
the Air Force's Special Force (Paskhas) and the Army's Special
Force (Kopassus) -- during a sweeping operation in the Mardika
area on Jan. 19.

"However, we have a bit of a problem since the Army has not
yet handed over the evidence (the bombs)," Firman said.

Illegal possession of weaponry is covered under the Emergency
Law and carries a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina also said on Friday that he
had reported the case and several other recent incidents in
Maluku to the minister of home affairs and the Indonesian
Military (TNI) commander in a recent visit to Jakarta.(edt/49)