New twist in Udin murder case
New twist in Udin murder case
YOGYAKARTA (JP): A judge supposed to try police officers for
losing the blood sample of murdered journalist Fuad Muhammad
Syafruddin unexpectedly resigned from the panel of judges
yesterday.
The judge, Sahlan Said of the Bantul District Court, said he
made his decision Tuesday without pressure from anyone, adding
that he needed time to be "introspective". He refused to
elaborate.
"It's my decision," Sahlan was quoted by Antara as saying.
He said his resignation was not politically motivated and had
nothing to do with the dispute over the journalist's blood
sample.
The judge's resignation was the latest twist in the painful
search for truth in the murder of the Yogyakarta-based Bernas
daily newspaper journalist.
Sahlan, according to local lawyers, was a senior judge of high
integrity. His resignation became public at the opening trial
over the blood yesterday.
Sahlan was replaced by judge Suparno, and the opening trial
went for about 15 minutes with presiding judge Mikaela giving the
disputing parties until Jan. 27 to find an out-of-court
settlement.
Marsiyem, Udin's wife, is suing Bantul police precinct chief
Lt. Col. Yotje Mende and police officer Chief Sgt. Edy Wuryanto.
She is seeking Rp 105 million (US$45,000) damages for
carelessness.
Syafruddin, better known as Udin, died in hospital on Aug. 17
last year, four days after a stranger attacked him at his home in
Bantul.
It is widely believed the assault was linked to with his
investigative reporting on alleged widespread corruption within
the Bantul regency government.
Police have been accused of a cover up.
Police have held a travel agent employee, Dwi Sumadji alias
Iwik, who they believe murdered Udin. Critics insist police have
the wrong man.
They said they had undeniable forensic proof that the blood
which stained Sumaji's T-shirt was Udin's.
The plaintiff, Udin's wife Marsiyem, alleged the blood was
splashed by defendant Chief Sgt. Edy Wuryanto, who used part of
Udin's blood sample which he borrowed from her while Udin was in
hospital.
Lawyers of the defendant and the plaintiff said an out-of-
court settlement was unlikely. (23/08)