Prisoner's wife silent over escape plan

JAKARTA (JP): Police are facing difficulties in questioning a woman in regard to the five prisoners who were found on Tuesday night in possession of bomb equipment hidden in their cell in Tangerang Penitentiary.

The homemade bomb, whose components were smuggled into the prison, was to be used in their escape attempt scheduled for Friday next week.

Tangerang Police deputy chief Comr. Ricky Wakanno identified the woman as Asih, 24, wife of robbery convict Deddy Susanto, one of the five prisoners arrested.

Asih allegedly smuggled in the bomb-making equipment and materials.

"Since we detained her late Wednesday night, she has kept mum. She has hardly said two words to us, and we believe it's because she herself does not understand what kind of a mess she has gotten herself into," Ricky told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"She's a villager, who has little or no knowledge at all about bombs. We believe her husband ordered her to bring in the equipment, like the timer, batteries, stove wicks ... and we are not sure she clearly understood why her husband needed those things."

Ricky added that within the next three days, Tangerang Police would be questioning several wardens for allowing Asih to enter the prison unchecked.

The other inmates arrested were embezzlement convict Sugiyanto, drug convict Sunardi and robbery convicts Sigit Harianto and Muhammad Iqbal. They occupied cell No. 6 of Block C2.

Police said Asih smuggled in the bomb-making equipment gradually in each visit she made to the prison. Family members of Sugianto also helped to smuggle in components. (ylt)