Police postpone Anton questioning

Police postpone Anton questioning

JAKARTA (JP): The police interrogation of Anton Medan, alias
M. Ramdhan Effendy, for his alleged role as an agent provocateur
in the mid-May riots has been postponed until further notice.

"Well, the police said I may go now. The investigation of me
has been postponed. No timeframe was given," Anton, an ex-convict
turned Moslem preacher, told reporters after being interrogated
for 3.5 hours at the Jakarta Police Headquarters on Monday.

The police interrogation team was led by Capt. Arismunandar.
He was accompanied by Chief Sgt. Tobing, Chief Sgt. Sutarlan and
First Lt. Haryono.

None of the officers, however, were willing to comment.

But Badaruzzaman, one of Anton's 20 lawyers from the
Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, said it appeared the police
interrogators had run out of questions.

"Up to this point the police have not yet revealed any solid
evidence or proof of his alleged involvement in provoking the
masses on May 14," Badaruzzaman said.

However, the police could summon Anton again if it was deemed
necessary, he added.

Anton explained: "I'm very concerned by the accusations (of
his involvement in the mid-May riots).

"The police summoned me as a suspect, but they did not clarify
any evidence which pointed to me being a suspect," the preacher
said.

"I want the police to explain about my situation and my
status ... I felt awful. People are judging me," Anton told the
journalists.

Since he was named as a suspect in the mid-May riot several
weeks ago, Anton said many of his colleagues and followers have
abandoned him.

"I'm a preacher. I deliver lectures every night. People have
started to doubt me and asked about my involvement. Several
community groups have even canceled my lecture programs." (edt)