Officer suspended following abduction

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Sofjan Jacoeb has suspended Sinjai Police deputy chief Sr. Insp. Sappewali several days after Sappewali and his adjutant were assaulted and abducted.

Sofjan said the suspension would allow for an investigation into Sapewalli's alleged involvement in dirty businesses in the small town, some 150 kilometers north of here.

"We just want to avoid further dispute with the people. But frankly, I think as an officer it is impossible that Sappewali committed such crimes," Sofjan said.

Sappewali and his adjutant, Pvt. Achmad Patudangi, were assaulted and abducted by activists from the Anti-Vice Movement in Balampesoang village on Saturday. The Muslim group was protesting what they saw as police leniency toward gambling and drug abuse.

Three companies of Mobile Brigade officers, led by provincial police deputy chief Sr. Supt. Jusuf Manggabarani, have been dispatched to Sinjai to arrest Sappewali's attackers. (27)