Police warn of AIDS-related crime

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi warned the public yesterday about people who transferred the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, among discotheque goers through syringe pricking.

Nurfaizi was quoted by Antara as saying that police have identified discotheque visitors as the preferred targets of the criminals.

"The people bringing syringes with HIV virus on them usually target those who are "tripping" after taking Ecstasy pills in discotheques," he said. "The culprits then leave notes saying "Thank you for being infected with AIDS."

Without revealing whether the police had arrested those committing such a crime, Nurfaizi said disco owners need to be more selective of their visitors.

"Such a crime has been committed in other ASEAN big cities such as in Singapore. In Singapore, teenagers under 15 are prohibited from entering discos. It's about time Indonesian disco owners establish such a regulation," said Nurfaizi.

Several discos in South and Central Jakarta are currently operating until dawn and have no regulations to screen visitors, making them easy targets for this new crime.

Attacks on disco patrons are usually committed after midnight, when most of them (the visitors) are losing consciousness after taking certain drugs or Ecstasy. (25)