Officers queried over murder

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police detectives have detained seven police officers for questioning in connection with Sunday night's murder of traffic police officer Fikri Zakaria, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the seven men were traffic police officers, detectives and detachment officers from the North and South Jakarta police precincts.

It is alleged that First Sergeant Fikri Zakaria, 25, was fatally shot in the chest and stomach by I Gusti Ketut Putra, an adjutant of military police chief Maj. Gen. Djasrie Marin, over a matter of drugs and blackmail.

"The seven are being questioned over blackmailing and protecting the drug trade," Zainuri told reporters.

Fikri was shot during a heated argument on Jl. Boulevard, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Sunday evening.

A source at the North Jakarta Police headquarters said Fikri apprehended Ketut in possession of shabu-shabu(crystal methamphetamine) at a house in the Pulomas housing complex on New Year's Eve.

Fikri tried to blackmail Ketut, threatening to turn him over to the military police. Ketut confronted Fikri in the Seribu Satu Malam restaurant on Jl. l. Boulevard, on Sunday evening, leading to a heated verbal exchange.

Ketut then dragged Fikri outside, where Fikri was shot three times. (ylt/01)