Police name three suspects over deadly clash in Batam

Batam (ANTARA) - Barelang Resort Police have named three people as suspects in a clash linked to a land conflict on Setokok Island, Batam City, Riau Islands, which resulted in two deaths.

Barelang Police Chief Senior Commissioner Anggoro Wicaksono said in Batam on Tuesday that the suspects were named after investigators questioned 16 witnesses in connection with the clash, which occurred on Monday (14/9).

“Based on the investigation, as of now, 16 witnesses have had their statements taken, and we have named three suspects,” he said.

The three suspects have the initials RS, P, and SH.

RS is alleged to have fired an air rifle towards the victims more than eight times, while P is alleged to have carried an air rifle and was seen cocking and aiming the weapon at the victims.

Meanwhile, SH is alleged to have carried a sharp weapon and incited his companions to resist and attack a group of people who were destroying a zinc fence at the scene.

Although three suspects have been named, Anggoro said the investigation is still being developed to uncover the possible involvement of other parties.

“We will continue to develop this investigation, and if other perpetrators are found, we will process them in accordance with the prevailing regulations,” he said.

He said Barelang Resort Police, together with the Riau Islands Regional Police, would handle the case objectively.

Chief of the Criminal Investigation Unit at Barelang Resort Police, Commissioner Agung Tri Poerbowo, said investigators secured a number of pieces of evidence, including two air rifles, a spear made from nibung wood, and a mobile phone belonging to a suspect.

Against RS and P, investigators applied Article 458 paragraph (1) and/or Article 262 paragraph (1) and/or Article 466 paragraph (1) and/or Article 306 in conjunction with Article 20 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP).

Both face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Meanwhile, SH was charged under Article 307 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code concerning the unlawful possession of blunt, stabbing, or piercing weapons, carrying a maximum sentence of seven years, and/or Article 246 letter a of the Criminal Code concerning inciting others to commit a criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of four years.

The clash between the two groups occurred on Trans Barelang Road, Setokok Island, Bulang Subdistrict, on Monday (14/9).

Police said the clash was triggered by a land dispute that had been running for quite some time and had previously been mediated by the police on several occasions.

The incident resulted in two deaths and a number of other people sustaining injuries.

Police also affirmed that the clash was related to a land conflict and was not linked to ethnic, religious, racial, or inter-group (SARA) issues.