Officer facing death penalty

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Prosecutors in Medan have demanded the death penalty for a police officer accused of attempting to distribute a kilogram of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine).

Adj. Comr. Bakhtiar Sitinjak, 43, who serves at the Sampali National School Police in Medan, was arrested in possession of the drug and Rp 20 million (US$2,439) in cash at Pirngadi Hospital last December.

The defendant told the Medan District Court on Monday that the money was his but the drugs belonged to an informant called Ahwat.

The defense begins when the hearing resumes next Monday. -- JP