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)