Policeman sued for alleged harassment
Policeman sued for alleged harassment
JAKARTA (JP): A female supporter of Megawati Soekarnoputri has
claimed that a former chief of the Jakarta Police Detectives
sexually harassed her after she was arrested last July.
The woman, Sandra Fertasari Putri, filed a suit for damages
yesterday in the South Jakarta District Court against Col. Paimin
A.B.
The suit says that while Sandra was being detained in a cell
at Pondok Bambu prison, Paimin used words and body language that
humiliated her and constituted sexual harassment.
The suit says Paimin "urged her to have sexual intercourse
rather than choose the PDI (the Indonesian Democratic Party)".
Sandra is seeking Rp 500 million (US$203,998) in damages.
She recently served a four month prison sentence after she was
found guilty of ignoring a police order to disperse when
supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted leader of the
PDI, occupied the party's headquarters on July 27 last year.
She and 123 others were arrested by security officers after
hundreds of supporters of the government-recognized PDI chairman
Soerjadi took control of the headquarters. The takeover sparked a
bloody riot.
According to Sandra's suit, Paimin accompanied members of the
Commission on Human Rights who visited Sandra and other Megawati
loyalists on Aug. 5.
The suit says that after the commission finished talking with
Sandra, the police were still in Sandra's cell, which she shared
with three other Megawati supporters.
Paimin then allegedly used sexually suggestive language and
gestures.
"As one of the state apparatus, the police should not only
carry out their assignments, but should also act as leaders who
should show a good example to people," the suit said.
Sandra and the 115 other supporters were sentenced to four
months and three days in jail in November. The sentence matched
the defendants' time in prison, so they were freed on the day of
the verdict.
Sandra was enraged at the verdict, and accused the court of
staging a farce. (05)