Police to probe source of Haryogi's rifle

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)