Police to probe source of Haryogi's rifle

BANDUNG (JP): National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo said on Saturday that the National Police were planning to reinvestigate the source of an AK-47 automatic rifle reportedly found in the possession of Haryogi Maulana.

Haryogi, the son of a former chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board, Lt. Gen. (ret) Z.A. Maulani, was arrested in a hotel in West Jakarta on Wednesday for possession of drugs and weapons without a permit.

"The standard weapon owned by the Indonesian Army is a .32 caliber. An AK-47 is a war weapon, and not some pistol or revolver. It can be a very dangerous weapon should it fall in the hands of the wrong person," Rusdihardjo told reporters.

"The National Police would never issue a license for a war weapon to a civilian. It is quite impossible for a civilian to obtain such a permit."

Rusdihardjo said Haryogi was very cooperative during police questioning.

Haryogi's family have indicated that they will not try to hinder the investigation.

Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi has said that the family had not asked the police to give special treatment to Haryogi.

Haryogi was arrested by West Jakarta Police detectives in the early hours of last Wednesday. The suspect was allegedly found in the possession of an unloaded AK-47, serial number 4857, and its magazine, a loaded Colt Walther, number 271759, and a small packet of white powder believed to be a drug.

Shortly afterward, the police announced the arrest and the suspect's family connections. After questioning the suspect, the West Jakarta Police transferred Haryogi and all the evidence in his case to the Jakarta Police intelligence unit.

The public was surprised by the support voiced by Maulani and his family for the police investigation.

In many cases involving powerful and well-connected suspects, there is perceived interference in police investigations.

Rebels

Rusdihardjo said that smuggled AK-47s have been frequently found in the hands of Acehnese rebels.

"We are working in cooperation with the Malaysian Police to arrest suspects over weapon smuggling. Those who have been arrested include those who are suspected of smuggling weapons to Banda Aceh and Lhoksukon." (25/ylt)