Police apologize for wrongful arrest in Palu

Ruslan Sangadji, Palu

Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Taufik Ridha apologized on Monday for a wrongful arrest in connection with last month's killing of Rev. Susianty Tinulele at a church in the provincial capital of Palu.

Bambang, 28, was arrested as a suspected gunman in the July 18 attack on Effata church, and was released after his family and eyewitnesses said he was not among those involved in the attack.

"On behalf of the entire police force in Central Sulawesi, I declare Bambang not a suspect and starting today (Monday), he is officially released.

"As the Central Sulawesi police chief, I ask Bambang, his family and the people to forgive us for the mistake," Taufik said at a news conference in Palu.

He said Bambang would, however, remain at a police clinic in Palu to be treated for gunshot wounds he sustained from the police officers who arrested him.

The police had named Bambang, a resident of the troubled town of Poso, as a suspect in the killings of Susianty and another minister, Johanes Tajoja, in March.

But Bambang, while he shared the same name as the real suspect, was not the man who had been captured and shot, said Taufik.

"Indeed, we have a man named as Bambang on the wanted list, but not this man," Taufik said, indicating Bambang, who was sitting beside him during the press conference.

Bambang said he would not sue the police over the wrongful arrest and shooting, excusing the incident because police might have been "tired" from hunting down suspects.

"I forgive the police and ask that the case be closed," he said, denying allegations that he had been pressured by the police to say so.

On the other hand, Taufik promised to investigate those officers responsible for shooting Bambang in the course of his arrest. "If they are found to have violated police procedures, action will be taken against them according to the law," he said.

Taufik added that police had identified Susianty's killers and were hunting them down, although their whereabouts remained unknown.

Separately, the Institute for Legal Development Studies and Human Rights (LPS-HAM) said on Monday it would sue the police over the wrongful arrest.

LPS-HAM coordinator Syamsul Alam Agus said although Bambang had forgiven the police, the institute would seek a power of attorney from his family to file a lawsuit against the police.

"We will sue the police, because they have arrested the wrong people on several occasions," Syamsul said.