Questioning of key abortion suspect to resume
Questioning of key abortion suspect to resume
JAKARTA (JP): Police resumed questioning yesterday the suspect
in the controversial abortion practices probe who attempted to
commit suicide.
City Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said that Doctor
Budiman had recovered sufficiently to be interrogated again.
"He seemed to be all right and ready to be questioned again.
We have medics and psychologists on hand at the questioning
session," he told reporters.
Hamami said that it was fine for Budiman to ask for time to
rest during the sessions if he needed it.
Budiman, an obstetrician and gynecologist, slit both wrists
with a razor blade on Dec. 3 after getting permission from
interrogators to go to the toilet during a questioning session at
the City Police Headquarters.
Budiman is one of 16 suspects, including another obstetrician
and gynecologist Lt. Col. Jaya Lelana who was detained by the
Military Police, who have been arrested on suspicion of being
involved in illegal abortion practices at two clinics, the Fajar
Pengharapan and Amalia in Tanah Tinggi, North Jakarta.
The doctor was rushed to the Dr. Mintohardjo Navy Hospital in
South Jakarta for emergency surgery and then moved to the Kramat
Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta the next day.
Doctors at the Navy hospital warned their colleagues at the
Police hospital to take special care of Budiman because of his
depression.
Doctors predicted that it would take ten days before Budiman
would be ready to continue the questioning. But they did not dare
to predict the time needed for the doctor's mental wounds to
heal.
Budiman's lawyer Ruhut Sitompul said yesterday that his client
was still receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
"His condition is getting better but he still needs medical
attention which he might not have if he were detained at the
police station," he said.
Ruhut said that Budiman still needed more attention,
especially in connection with his mental state.
"He is still depressed," he said.
The head of the hospital had given the police permission to
continue the interrogation, he said.
"Fortunately, Budiman was all right and calm during today's
interrogation," Ruhut said.
He said Budiman was taken to the police headquarters only for
the questioning session and then driven back to the hospital.
He said the interrogation started at around 11 a.m. and
finished after 5 p.m.
Hamami said his officers would continue their investigation
into all the arrested suspects and look for more information from
witnesses and experts to help clarify the case.
"As to Budiman, we'll proceed with the investigation into him
as long as there are witnesses and sufficient hard evidence which
can be used to prove his guilt," he said. (cst)