Policeman accused of extortion

Policeman accused of extortion

JAKARTA (JP): Relatives of an elderly robbery suspect have accused the head of the Kronjo police subprecinct in Tangerang, 30 kilometers west of here, of extortion, and reported him to his superior.

The relatives of Kasman, a 66 year-old suspect, who was arrested along with his two sons for robbing his brother, Kasmin, said that First Lieutenant Mahyu Den Chan had asked the suspect's wife for money. The officer promised to release Kasman and his two sons to the woman if she paid.

The robbery took place on Nov. 2 of last year, at Kribing village in Kronjo, which is located on the border of Serang and Tangerang.

Kasman's relatives sent a letter dated Jan. 8 to the City Police Chief, Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo reporting the blackmail.

"The report has been received by the chief and we're examining the case seriously," city police spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said over the weekend.

In the letter, Zaenuddin, who acted on behalf of the family members, said that the lieutenant had taken Rp 6 million (US$2,640) from Kasman's wife.

None of the suspects, who claim to know nothing about the robbery, have been released, Zaenuddin said.

The other unusual thing, Zaenuddin said, was that none of the suspects' relatives were allowed to visit Kasman and his two sons in detention.

Besides asking for money, the police officer also allegedly falsified Kasman's signature to take over the ownership of four cows and a 1.5-hectare plot of land owned by the family.

The officer who picked up the cows carried a letter allegedly signed by the illiterate Kasman.

Police spokesman Iman said the police chief, Dibyo Widodo, widely known for his dislike of undisciplined personnel, has ordered his officers to further investigate the case. (bsr)