Police extend Tommy's detention

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police extended on Tuesday Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra's detention for another 40 days, following the expiry of the first 20-day detention.

"Tommy has signed the document acknowledging the extension of his detention for 40 days," said Tommy's lawyer Elza Syarief.

Elza said Tommy's detention was extended as police needed more time to question him.

According to Article 24 of the Criminal Code Procedures, police can detain a suspect for 20 days, which can be extended another 40 days. The first detention expired on Dec. 18 as Tommy was arrested on Nov. 28.

The law allows the police to detain a suspect for a total of 120 days for interrogation, after which time a suspect must be released if no charges are made.

Elza said Tommy was not interrogated on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Tommy visited his ill father, former president Soeharto, who is undergoing treatment at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta.

Tommy is being investigated in connection with three crimes: the murder of Supreme Court Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, the illegal possession of arms and masterminding bomb attacks.