Palestinian envoy shoots alleged robber

JAKARTA (JP): Ambassador of the Palestinian Authority Ribhi Awad shot a man in the left foot in self-defense, when he was attacked after driving along Jl. Imam Bonjol, Central Jakarta, Tuesday night.

Awad said last night he praised God for saving him but felt sorry because he wounded the man who attacked him.

"I never, ever intended spilling even one drop of Indonesian blood," the ambassador told The Jakarta Post.

He said the shooting was in self-defense because the man, identified as Hariyanto, who stood less than half a meter away from him, tried to stab him with a knife.

The incident took place at about 9:15 p.m. when Awad stopped near the Philippine Embassy on Jl. Imam Bonjol because of a flat tire.

He said it was the first time he drove the official car by himself because his driver was attending his father's funeral.

Awad said Hariyanto approached him and offered some help. He provided some tools and Hariyanto fixed the tire.

"I gave him Rp 20,000 (US$7.70) and said 'Terima kasih, selamat jalan,' and then got into my car," he said.

Instead of leaving, however, Hariyanto approached him and demanded all his money. He even tried to take my car key, Awad said.

Hariyanto leaned on the right, front door when the window was still half open, and tried to take the key out of the ignition, said Awad, who suffered a minor hand injury because he tried to stop Hariyanto.

Awad said Hariyanto suddenly pulled out a knife and tried to stab him with it.

Awad said he spontaneously grabbed his FN .45 handgun from his pocket and fired one shot, not toward Hariyanto, but toward the lower part of the right, rear car door.

He said it was just to frighten Hariyanto. "I didn't know it (the bullet) hit his foot, because I didn't try to shoot him. I just wanted to shock him," Awad said.

Awad said he chased Hariyanto, who ran away and jumped onto a bus, because he thought Hariyanto managed to swipe the car key.

After finding the key on the ground later, he immediately went to the nearest police station to report the incident.

Police officers arrested Hariyanto, an alleged outlaw, at midnight at Pelni Hospital in Petamburan, West Jakarta, where he sought medical treatment for his wounded foot.

Awad praised the police for their quick response in arresting the suspect.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang confirmed yesterday that Hariyanto, homeless and unemployed, was arrested and that police were still investigating the case. (cst)