More Larantuka suspects arrested
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
Ten more people have been declared suspects following the recent rampage in the East Flores capital of Larantuka and are currently being detained at the police detention center, police said on Tuesday.
According to East Flores Police precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Darto Juhartono, the 10 suspects are believed to have taken part in the rampage where a mob vandalized and burned buildings belonging to the local district court and prosecutor's office on Nov. 15.
The incident was triggered by the issuance of a verdict for the imprisonment of local priest Frans Amanuen for defaming East Flores Regent Felix Fernandez.
"We have arrested them (the suspects) for the crimes they committed," Darto told reporters.
He urged local people to respect the action taken against the suspects who are being detained following testimonies of about 40 witnesses including Father Amanuen.
Darto claimed the police found evidence in the field to charge them.
He, nevertheless, refused to disclose the suspects' names pending the completion of the police investigation.
Earlier, the police had also taken into custody three other suspects -- identified as Yohanis Sabon, Agustinus Diaz and Wem -- during a raid by a joint police and military team.
Asked whether several local officials were also implicated in the riot, Darto said: "We are still developing the investigation, and if there are certain local officials involved in the riot, we will take action".
According to him, the number of arrests was expected to climb as the investigation continued.
The incident in the predominantly Catholic town took place when thousands of angry residents burned down the district courthouse in a response to the sentencing of Amanuen to two- months imprisonment, with a suspended sentence of five months.
The violence continued when the mob also set fire office equipment and files of the Larantuka Prosecutor's Office.
It was Regent Fernandez who sued the outspoken priest after the latter accused him of marking up the price of a multipurpose boat for local government worth Rp 3 billion (US$353,000).
Amanuen has appealed the verdict.
Following the unrest, hundreds of police personnel were deployed to guard Fernandez's official residence, as well as the official residences of the heads of the Larantuka District Court and prosecutor's office.
Meanwhile, analyst Nicolaus Pira Bunga, from the Kupang-based Nusa Cendana University, urged Fernandez to resign due to increasing public distrust and called local councillors to summon the regent in relation to the corruption allegations against him, as well as the recent arson.
"Based on Law No. 22/1999 on regional administrations, the head of a local administration should consider quitting or should be removed by councillors if he is facing public distrust.
"The recent violence shows that people no longer trust their leader. So, why should Fernandez insist on holding on to his power?," said Nicolaus as quoted by Antara.