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)