Military Police chief fired for 'escape' of Army suspect

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Police chief Col. Joestiono's head was the first to roll on Tuesday morning after the shocking escape from custody of an Army soldier who had been charged with being involved in the bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building last September.

Joestiono was dismissed after Second. Corp. Ibrahim Hasan, a member of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), allegedly escaped from his military police guard, which consisted of four elite members of the Military Police.

"The military does not tolerate any sort of carelessness. Joestiono's dismissal was directly ordered by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto," Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo told reporters on Tuesday.

Ibrahim Hasan is the second defendant in the case to have escaped this year after civilian Ibrahim Abdul Wahab escaped in February from Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta.

"As the commander, Col. Joestiono is responsible for the actions of his men, including their carelessness. He deserves to be dismissed. The four officers put in charge of guarding Ibrahim Hasan have been declared suspects in this case," Bibit said.

"We apologize for this incident and hope to find the fugitive soon."

Joestiono returned his baton to Bibit early on Tuesday at Jakarta Military Headquarters, while his deputy Lt. Col. Agus Ryadi took over his duties.

Following Joestiono's dismissal, the investigation into Ibrahim Hasan's escape will be taken over by Military Police Headquarters.

Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin said he would leave no stone unturned in the search for the fugitive, and would continue the search to Aceh, if necessary.

"Pak Joestiono should have been handling the investigation into this escape. As this case is a high profile one, however, I decided to take over the investigation. We have yet to get hold of Ibrahim Hasan, but we are searching for him, including in Aceh," Djasri told reporters.

"Joestiono himself is helping us with our inquiries," Djasri added.

Early on Monday morning, Ibrahim Hasan allegedly told his Military Police guards that he was feeling ill.

The guards, Chief Corp. Syafei, Chief Corp. Sukasro, Corp. Suyono, and Sergeant Major Abdul Kholik, then drove him in a Military Police van to Ridwan Maureksa Hospital in Central Jakarta.

Upon reaching Jl. Tambak in Central Jakarta, the right front tire of the van experienced a puncture.

While all four guards were allegedly engaged in changing the tire, their prisoner took the opportunity to make good his escape.

Ibrahim Hasan is one of two principal suspects in the bombing case. The other suspect is an Army Special Forces (Kopassus) non- commissioned officer, Chief Sgt. Irwan.

They are currently facing trial in the South Jakarta District Court. The panel of civilian and military judges was scheduled to hear Ibrahim Hasan's testimony on Wednesday morning.

Following the prisoner's escape, Col. Joestiono immediately went to his superior, who then reported the incident to Endriartono. (tso/ylt)