Officer suspended following abduction

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)