Murdered reporter case reopened

Murdered reporter case reopened

YOGYAKARTA: Local police on Thursday started the process of
requestioning 20 witnesses in the 1996 murder of local Bernas
daily reporter Fuad Mohammad Syafruddin alias Udin.

The reinvestigation started with the summoning of two
witnesses, however only one of them showed up for the
questioning.

Udin died on Aug. 13, 1996 after being beaten by unknown
assailants at his residence. Many suspected his death was linked
to his critical reporting of alleged corruption by local
authorities.

On the same day around 100 protesters came to police
headquarters here demanding a swift and thorough investigation of
the case.

"We are seriously conducting the investigation," Yogyakarta's
Police Investigation Unit Chief Sr. Spt. Toto Sunyoto told the
protesters as he brought the witness Kuncoro to the crowd to
prove the investigation.

Local legislators have agreed to form a special committee on
the case and plan to seek an explanation from the police in a
public hearing on Aug. 16. (swa)