Man faces 15 years in robbery case

JAKARTA (JP): A state prosecutor asked Bogor District Court on Monday to send one of four suspects in the fatal Jagorawi toll road robbery to jail for 15 years.

Prosecutor Andi Rahman Asbar said Heri Faisal alias Hendrik took part in both the robbery and murder of one of the victims on Oct. 11, 1996.

Andi cited Article 365 of the Penal Code on violent robberies, which carries a maximum penalty of death.

Laundry businessman Zainudin Lesmana, who was in a car with two others, was shot to death by robbers who made off with Rp 600 million ($250,000).

The case became complicated when one of two surviving witnesses died in police custody. The two had been taken in by police for questioning as possible suspects.

Hendrik earlier confessed a part in the robbery but denied any role in the shooting.

He also told the court that Zainudin was involved in planning the event and that there was an agreement that the loot was to be split with Zainudin taking Rp 300 million, and the remainder divided between the four participants.

The three other accomplices -- Erling Doly alias Mikel, Iskandar and Budiarto -- are being tried separately. Mikel escaped from a detention center June 29 and is still at large.

Hendrik looked calm yesterday as the prosecutor read his sentence demand in court. He even managed to smile and laugh with spectators.

Hendrik's lawyer, Almuzfar, said after the hearing that the prosecutor's demand was too excessive. "It was a common crime, not a special one," he said.

Almuzfar also argued that the dossier of his client contained inaccuracies and the prosecutor failed to produce evidence cited in the dossier.

Zainudin's brother, Supendi, said outside the courtroom that he and his family were satisfied with the sentence request.

The trial was adjourned until July 23. (24/12)