Police apologize to ex-con Anton Medan

JAKARTA (JP): A police investigator handling the inquiry into Anton Medan's involvement in the May riots apologized for the misconduct of several policemen who tried to escort Anton, an ex- convict turned Moslem preacher, to city police headquarters for interrogation on Wednesday.

Head of the investigation team Capt. Arismunandar of the city police detectives unit expressed regret to Anton and his lawyers when they went to city police headquarters to protest. They were there for three hours, during which time they met with Arismunandar who said there had been a misunderstanding between the interrogators and the detective unit.

"The detective unit was not informed that Anton's questioning session had been rescheduled. So about six officers went to his house Wednesday night and tried to pick him up," Chairilsyah, one of Anton's 19 defense lawyers from Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, quoted Arismunandar as saying.

Chairilsyah said Anton had been scheduled for a second questioning session yesterday, but it was postponed after Anton protested.

"We've protested about the police's misconduct toward Anton. What they did to him is considered intimidation and it was therefore illegal," he said.

Anton, alias M. Ramdhan Effendy, was named a suspect and is being investigated for his alleged role in the mid-May riots. He looked upset after his meeting with the police.

"I don't understand why they are doing this to me. I know I am an ex-convict, I have a dark past. But I'm preacher Ramdhan Effendy now. Why can't they respect that?

"What they did to me that (Wednesday) night -- trying to drag me out in front of my guests and my family, it was embarrassing! How am I supposed to feel? I did nothing wrong," Anton said emotionally.

Anton refused to accompany the officers because it was not clear where they would take him and they had no arrest warrant.

"They (the police officers) only said that I had been summoned by the deputy chief of the city police detective unit. I immediately called my lawyer, who advised me not to go with them. So they left."

In yesterday's meeting, Anton was accompanied by his wife and family.

Meanwhile, City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said yesterday that Anton was still considered a suspect as police had sufficient grounds to charge him.

"We have witnesses that can clarify his presence and activities during the mid-May riots. Let's wait for further developments in the investigation," Noegroho said.

"The truth will be revealed. He's innocent until proven guilty," the general said with a smile.

Anton's questioning is scheduled to continue Monday. (edt)