More Larantuka suspects arrested
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.