Police tortured the suspects, witness in murder trial says

JAKARTA (JP): The trial of two men accused of murdering businessman Darmansyah Sujadi alias Nyo Beng Seng took a new twist yesterday after a witness testified that he saw police officers torturing the suspects.

Ruhut Sitompul, the defendants' lawyer, said that in November last year he was visiting City Police headquarters to fulfill a summons regarding a different case.

Ruhut said it was then that he saw Agiono bin Safran and Suhartono, alias Atok, the two defendants in the murder case, in the interrogation room. "I saw Agiono and Atok being beaten black and blue. I know this was improper."

He said he was noticed by an officer that was administering the beating and warned him to keep his mouth shut.

"Lt. Petrus said he would kill me if I told anyone about the incident," he told presiding judge Sumardjono at the North Jakarta District Court.

Ruhut is a lawyer closely associated with Pemuda Pancasila, a powerful youth organization.

His testimony strengthened the suspects' claim that they had been tortured by their interrogators and were forced to sign statements that incriminated them in the murder.

Agiono and Atok have admitted in court to murdering Nyo Beng Seng in April 1994, but stressed that it was carried out in self defense and not premeditated as charged.

The government prosecutors have said that the two were assassins hired by another businessman, Hong Lie, because the victim failed to pay up the Rp 600 million ($275,000) he owed.

The defendants also denied the accusation that Hong Lie gave Rp 400 million ($182,000) to an officer to close the murder case.

Beng Seng was an owner of PT Irama Tara, a leading recording company, as well as several massage parlors and night clubs in Jakarta. He was also a contact person for Indonesians who wanted to gamble at exclusive places overseas, such as in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Police said seven people were involved in the murder. The other five suspects -- identified as Ahak, Barki, Agus, Yudi, and Pramono -- are still at large. Hong Lie, who is now believed to be in Singapore, is also wanted in connection with the murder.

Interpol Indonesia said the City Police should issue a warrant for the arrest of Hong Lie if they want Singapore Interpol to assist in apprehending the man.

An officer at Interpol Indonesia said his office sent a letter to the City Police four months ago but so far had not yet received an answer.

"We don't know whether the City Police are slow or if they have another reason for not issuing the warrant," the unidentified officer told Kompas. (29)