SBSI activist begins interrogation in Medan

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)