Policemen trial continues

Policemen trial continues

BANDUNG: Four former police officers standing trial for
mistreating a Tasikmalaya Moslem teacher and his two students
have admitted the wrongdoing, but pleaded that other officers
involved should be brought to court as well.

The officers, who were dishonorably discharged over the
incident, said several of their colleagues should also be
questioned for beating up Moslem teacher Mahmud Farid and his
students Habib and Ichsan. The mistreatment and rumors that the
teacher died from the beating sparked a riot, during which four
people were killed and scores of buildings damaged.

"It wasn't only the four of us," Agus Martadinata told the
military tribunal. Agus Yulianto, Dedi Haeruddin, and Nursyamsi,
the other three suspects, supported him. Agus Yulianto and Dedi
said they hit Mahmud only once each because the latter refused to
squat jump as he was ordered to.

The court was presided over by Col. CHK Pakpahan. Military
prosecutor Col. Ismail Bangun admitted that the former police
officers' charge may have some truth in it.

"But I do not have the authority to examine the other
officers," he said.

The trial resumes on Thursday. (ahy)