Sketches of KPU blast suspect issued

Sketches of KPU blast suspect issued

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

More than two weeks after the explosion at the
General Elections Commission (KPU) on Jl. Imam Bonjol, Central
Jakarta, the police began distributing on Wednesday sketches of a
possible suspect.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said the sketches
were based on information from witnesses -- six KPU employees and
two on-duty policemen -- who were at the KPU on July 26 when the
explosion occurred.

"The witnesses gave us information on a man who looked
suspicious and seemed nervous. Others told our investigators that
the man hurriedly left the building," he said.

The sketches show a frontal and profile view of the suspect.

Police added the suspect was about 1.65 meters tall, between
30 to 40 years old, had dark skin and was presumably Javanese. He
was last seen wearing a light shirt and black trousers.

In widely distributing the sketches to the public, the police
expected to complete their investigation sooner.

The KPU received a tip 30 minutes before the blast from an
anonymous caller, who said a bomb was in the building. The KPU
staffer who took the call immediately informed police stationed
at the building, and a 10 by 15 by 10 cm cardboard box was found
inside the women's restroom at about 1 p.m.

The bomb squad was alerted, but the object exploded five
minutes later.

The "firecracker-like" explosion damaged a door, shattered
windows and punched a hole in the ceiling of a woman's restroom
on the first floor of the building. No casualties were reported,
but the incident heightened congestion on the busy street.

Police said the explosive contained potassium chlorate, which
was often used in firecrackers, and have insisted it was not a
bomb. However, they have not explained how the substance could
have exploded spontaneously.