SBSI activist begins interrogation in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The police on Saturday began interrogating Amosi Telaumbanua, the chairman of the local office of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), whom they charge masterminded the workers' riots here last month.

Col. Agus Utara of Bakorstanasda, the provincial office of the internal security agency, on Saturday confirmed that police have Amosi in custody but denied the SBSI's contention that he and two others where brought to Jakarta by SBSI authorities who then brokered the surrenders, on the condition they not be tortured.

According to Col. Agus, Amosi and the two other SBSI Medan executives "voluntarily surrendered without any preconditions. They never left town." He did not explain when the three turned themselves in. The SBSI said last Friday that the three turned themselves in on Thursday.

The SBSI headquarters in Jakarta was not available for comment over the weekend.

Col. Agus said that Amosi and his two colleagues have nothing to fear because they will be given the due process of law.

He also said that it is possible that the authorities may charge Samosi under anti subversion law because the riots paralyzed North Sumatra's economy, causing huge financial losses. "But that depends on the investigation."

Medan Police Chief Col. Chairuddin Ismail told the same press conference on Saturday that so far Amosi and his two colleagues have not requested legal representation although this would be granted if requested.

In addition to the three new suspects, the Medan police are currently questioning 34 people in connection with the riots last month, he added. (rmn/emb)