Robber to sue police over shooting

JAKARTA (JP): A 19-year-old suspected street robber is to sue Central Jakarta Police for allegedly shooting him in the left thigh without first firing warning shots.

Speaking after a hearing in his trial on Friday, the defendant, Hariyanto, said that he planned to sue police for the cost of surgery to remove the bullet, which is still lodged in his upper leg.

"The police officer fired his gun at my leg at blank point range, right in front of my grandfather," Hariyanto said outside Central Jakarta District Court.

The defendant's mother, sister, aunt and grandfather were present throughout the hearing.

Hariyanto, who requires a crutch to walk, said an operation to remove the bullet would cost up to Rp 3 million.

According to the defendant, a police officer identified only as D.H. shot him outside his home on Jl. Penjernihan Dalam in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Oct. 20 last year.

Hariyanto, whose father has passed away, confessed to robbing Rp 75,000 from a passenger on a Kopaja bus along with a friend, Odi, on a nearby street at around 1:30 p.m. on the same day.

Their victim fought back and Odi stabbed him in the neck before the two made their getaway.

Hariyanto was arrested in front of his house later the same day. He confessed, explained how the incident had unfolded, and told police where Odi lived.

The officers were unable to locate Odi, and so returned to Hariyanto's house, where one shot him in the leg. He was then taken to the police hospital in Kramatjati, East Jakarta, the defendant said.

The defendant's grandfather, Kamardi, a retired city administration employee, and his aunt confirmed Hariyanto's version of events.

Kamardi said his family would go to court to demand compensation for the unlawful shooting of a suspected criminal.

"My grandchild will be disabled for the rest of his life," he said.

Kamardi said that because of his family's impoverished status, they would seek the help of the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation.

"We'll seek their help after the trial is over because his (robbery) case is just a small one," he said.

"My grandson might be sent to jail for less than one year," he added.

Under the Criminal Code, armed robbery carries a maximum penalty of 12 years imprisonment.

Hariyanto's version of events contradicted a statement read out during his indictment.

The prosecutor, Jerriyanto, said the defendant was shot for resisting arrest, but only after warning shots had been fired.

Hariyanto, he said, had attempted to escape after the officer in question had prevented him from being seriously injured by an angry mob who caught him after he committed the crime.

Outside the court, Hariyanto said he had not received proper medical treatment at the hospital.

He claimed a doctor had asked him to pay Rp 3 million for surgery to remove the bullet from his thigh.

"How was I supposed to get the money? I'm jobless and I come from a poor family," he said.

While in hospital, Hariyanto said he was approached by an officer who identified himself as Cecep and claimed to be a friend of D.H.

Cecep promised the defendant freedom and Rp 1 million if he promised to drop all further claims against the police.

However, the mysterious officer did not return to pursue the matter and the defendant was eventually transferred to Salemba penitentiary in Central Jakarta.

"I frequently requested medical treatment, but police officers at the hospital and then later wardens at the penitentiary always told me to wait," he said.

He said he often felt pain in his leg, especially when it rained.

Presiding judge Zulkifli Lubis adjourned the trial until next week to hear witnesses' testimonies.

Separately, the newly appointed Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainur Lubis welcomed Hariyanto's plan and said that any officers found guilty would be brought to account for their actions.

"We will take on board all complaints concerning our service, but if I am asked whether or not we were wrong in the incident, I don't know. A trial will prove who is right and who is wrong," he said.

He said that police officers had been repeatedly ordered to use the standard procedures when making arrests and opening fire.

"It means all of us use the same methods," he explained.

Dozens of criminals have been shot dead by the police in recent weeks, almost always for the same reason: resisting arrest. (jun/emf)