Police HQ bomber is of sound mind: Spokesman

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said on Thursday that Adj. Comr. Anang Sumpena, a member of the police bomb squad who is also the prime suspect in the Feb. 3 bombing of the National Police's Wisma Bhayangkari building, is psychologically healthy.

"Our psychological tests have shown that he is normal. He has also cooperated during the police investigation," said Aritonang.

He revealed that Anang, who had been expelled from the National Police College (PTIK) for drug abuse, was still taking drugs the week before the bombing.

"However, I'm not sure whether he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the bombing ... We have yet to receive the results of his medical checkup," the officer said.

Aritonang denied he had previously said there was a possibility of others being involved in Anang's attack.

"Who said that there was a possibility of other parties being involved in the bombing. I never said that ... You can check it on the record (tape). Thus far, we have concluded that he was working alone, with the catalyst being his hurt feelings," he claimed.

Aritonang told reporters during a media briefing on Monday that during questioning Anang had mentioned the names of several military officers, known only by their initials as ES and DS. He quoted Anang's testimony that the two were aware of the bombing.

Aritonang also revealed on Thursday that Linda, Anang's girlfriend, surrendered on Tuesday at the North Jakarta Police precinct office after being at large for two weeks.

"We're still going to question her as a witness in the bombing. But, it appears she's innocent," said Aritonang.

Anang has been reportedly living with Linda for some time. His marriage to a flight attendant had broken up previously.

Prior to his arrest on Saturday at a rented room in Bukit Duri, East Jakarta, Anang had been wanted for desertion.

Anang was captured thanks to a fingerprint found on a piece of shrapnel at the blast site.

He is now being detained by the city police's Internal Affairs Department.

Aritonang said Anang was charged under the antiterrorism regulation in lieu of a law, which carried the death penalty.

The bomb, which damaged the Wisma Bhayangkari's lobby, claimed no lives but it added to security concerns in the country, exploding as it did close to National Police Headquarters.

"He has also been charged under Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, which also carries the death penalty," Aritonang said.