Police rule out extraditing Oki to the U.S.

Police rule out extraditing Oki to the U.S.

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad
Hindarto ruled out yesterday the possibility of extraditing
Harnoko Dewantono, alias Oki, who is wanted by the United States
in connection with a murder in Los Angeles last year.

Hindarto told reporters that, in the absence of an extradition
treaty between Indonesia and the United States, the possibility
must be ruled out at this stage. Even if the United States
formally requested extradition, Indonesia would not hand him over
without due consideration, he said.

Thirty-year old Oki, currently in Jakarta Police custody, is
wanted for questioning by the Los Angeles Police Department in
connection with the murder of two Indonesians and an Indian
citizen, whose decomposed bodies were discovered in a storage
locker last August.

Last December, Los Angeles Police identified the three bodies
as Gina Sutan Aswar, 30; Eri Tri Harto Darmawan, Oki's 28-year-
old brother, both Indonesian citizens, and Surish Michandani, an
Indian national who ran a laundry business in Los Angeles.

Following identification, police issued a warrant for the
arrest of Oki, whom they say is the main suspect in the case.

Hindarto said Oki was arrested in Jakarta last Saturday in
connection with allegations that he falsified a number of
passports.

He added that Oki now acknowledges guilt of the charges.

This is a departure from his earlier stance, in which he said
that he did not forge any passports. Oki has also told
investigating officers that he had nothing to do with the murders
in Los Angeles.

Hindarto said local investigations are not directed towards
the murder allegations. "To this day, we have not received any
request from the United States to question him in connection with
the murders."

Maj. Gen. Koesparmono Irsan, Deputy Chief for Operational
Affairs at National Police Headquarters, said on Monday that
Indonesia has written to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
requesting documents in support of the Los Angeles Police
Department's charges against Oki.

He also indicated that Indonesia would prefer that any trial
be held in Indonesia and not the United States.

Legal experts say Oki would almost be certain to get the death
penalty if he was tried and convicted in the United States.

Hindarto said Oki told investigating officers that he had
forged a passport chiefly to obtain duty reductions on his
belongings when he returned from California.

Oki had used his brother Eri's passport, whose status was that
of a student, and replaced the photograph with one of his own.

"That's forgery," Hindarto said.

Asked about the involvement of a psychiatrist during
questioning, Hindarto said this was standard procedure.

Immigration officials said yesterday they were ready to help
the police in the investigation of the passport forgery
allegations.

Earlier reports alleged that Oki had at least three passports.

Rahardi Suro Prawiro, director for supervision and penalties
at the Directorate General of Immigration, said some people may
possess more than one ID card and this makes it possible for them
to make more than one passport.

When asked about Oki's immigration status, Rahardi said, he is
not barred from leaving the country because he is not wanted in
connection with any murder allegations in Indonesia.
(emb/bsr/imn)