Shot policeman's family may sue police force

JAKARTA (JP): The family of a policeman shot dead by fellow officers said they would bring the case to court if police accusations of the victim proved wrong.

The father of the late Second Sgt. Sofjan Sani told reporters Tuesday they would also report East Jakarta police officers involved in the incident to the National Commission on Human Rights.

Sofjan, 21, was shot dead last Tuesday morning in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta, by local police precinct officers.

Police said Sofjan was caught red-handed extorting a bus driver. Sofjan was shot while trying to attack the officers with a sickle during the arrest.

On the afternoon Sofjan was shot, City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said the victim was likely a bogus officer.

"The victim might just be a bogus police officer who liked to use a police uniform to intimidate people," he said.

The father, Ajie Insani, said his family rejected the allegation.

"Police must prove whether or not Sofjan was an exploiter... They must also prove whether or not the shooting followed the standard procedures," Insani said.

National Police spokesman Brig.Gen. Nurfaizi confirmed late Tuesday that Sofjan was a member of the North Jakarta police precinct. However, he declined to comment on the family's demands.

Police said earlier they had no idea they had shot a police officer, as Sofjan was wearing a black jacket. They claimed they later found his uniform without complete identification.

Hamami defended the shooting, saying Sofjan had denied warning shots and had tried to attack the officers.

"Police had followed the standard procedure prior to the shooting," Hamami said.

Insani lambasted police for the charges which disgraced his late son and family.

"The City Police Chief was too reckless when he jumped to the conclusion that my son was a bogus officer who liked to extort civilians," Insani said.

Insani also blamed police for hiding facts on Sofjan's death from the family. "Police information on the shooting was contradictory to what Sofjan's friends told us," he added.

According to Sofjan's friends, the incident occurred in front of an Isuzu auto repair shop on Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai, East Jakarta.

It was not clear whether his friends belonged to the police force.

Sofjan's friends, who have offered to testify if the case goes to court, said Sofjan was wearing his uniform with complete identification when the shooting took place.

Insani blamed the police for reacting slowly in investigations.

Two officers, identified as Second Lt. Pujo and Chief Sgt. Agus, have been detained by the military police at the City Police headquarters since last Wednesday.

Insani urged the police to impose firm sanctions on the two officers if found guilty. (04)