Permit for Tommy's questioning wanted

Permit for Tommy's questioning wanted

JAKARTA: The police are still awaiting leave from the Central
Jakarta District Court to question Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra
over his statements claiming that the police helped him during
his time on the run.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said on
Friday that the police expected to secure the court's permission
on Monday.

Asked when Tommy would be questioned, Anton said that the
police needed to discuss the timing with Tommy.

"We need further discussions with Tommy before carrying out
the questioning," Anton said.

A city police team of investigators came to the Cipinang
penitentiary, where Tommy is being held, on Thursday to interview
him, but the warden refused to admit them due to the lack of
permission from the court.

Tommy is to be questioned following his statements in court
indicating that the security forces had known of his whereabouts
when he was on the run.

Tommy is currently on trial on charges of conspiracy to murder
Supreme Court Justice Syafiuddin M. Kartasasmita, illegal
possession of firearms and flight from justice.

Prosecutors are scheduled to present their sentence request
next Wednesday.--JP