Police apologize for damage to Muhammadiyah Hospital

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surakarta

National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has apologized for all negative impacts resulting from the removal of terror suspect Abu Bakar Ba'asyir from the Muhammadiyah hospital in Surakarta on Monday.

Speaking to journalists after meeting Vice President Hamzah Haz on Thursday, Da'i said police had no option but to take Ba'asyir by force for the sake of the investigation.

"We apologized to Muhammadiyah hospital and Muslim leaders because we had no choice because of the limited time and the presence of Ba'asyir's supporters outside the hospital," Da'i said, adding police would pay for any damage to the hospital.

Ba'asyir, removed from hospital ten days after he was first admitted for respiratory problem, is suspected of plotting to assassinate President Megawati Soekarnoputri and being behind the Christmas bomb attacks in Jakarta in 2000.

Both charges carry the death penalty under the criminal Code.

Ba'asyir's supporters were involved in a violent clash with the police following the removal of Ba'asyir. Six people, including three Ba'asyir supporters were injured in the incident. Parts of the hospital were damaged to allow police to reach the hospital's VIP room where Ba'asyir was being treated.

Da'i insisted police would monitor Ba'asyir's health during the interrogation. "We are considering interrogating him at the Police hospital where he is being treated," he said.

He asked Ba'asyir's lawyers to cooperate during the interrogation so it could be conducted as soon as possible.

National Police Deputy Chief Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said Ba'asyir had "a sore throat", which meant questioning could not go ahead on Thursday.

"The police's medical team advised us to give him two or three days to rest and recover from his throat ailment," he said

Prasetyo said Ba'asyir would be questioned when his health improved.

Differing form his superior, Prasetyo said police would likely interrogate Ba'asyir at police headquarters which had been prepared for his arrival.

Commenting on the possibility that Ba'asyir would maintain his silence, Prasetyo said: "It will be disadvantages for him to keep silent."

In Surakarta, an alliance of Muslim organizations (UIS) condemned police conduct during Ba'asyir's removal, saying the government should discharge Prasetyo who led the operation.

UIS also refused to cooperate with the police inquiry, saying police had terrorized the Muslim people.