SMS led to arrest of officer

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu

An anonymous short message service (SMS) received by the Central Sulawesi Police chief led to the arrest of Adj. Comr. Saleh Iskandar over a string of attacks on churches last December.

Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that he received a tip over his cellular phone to investigate Iskandar, whose police firearm was allegedly used in shootings at the Immanuel and Anugerah churches.

Aryanto said he immediately forwarded the message to officers at National Police Headquarters. He also ordered his officers to follow up on the report.

Iskandar and his wife, who has been implicated in the case by her husband, have been transferred to Jakarta for questioning.

Aryanto said Iskandar has denied any involvement in the attacks, saying he was on official duty in Banten when the shootings took place.

"There was indeed an event in Banten at the time (of the shootings) and I assigned Iskandar to go there myself," Aryanto said.

The chief said some suspicion had fallen onto Iskandar's wife, who also had access to the weapon.

The gun was kept along with Rp 400 million (US$41,237) in cash in a safe whose combination was known only to the couple.

"It was impossible that the weapon was stolen. However, we will leave the case to the National Police. Let us just wait and see," Aryanto said.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Aryanto Boedihardjo announced on Tuesday that Iskandar would be charged with negligence leading to the loss of life.

Aryanto said Iskandar had admitted that the gun used in the shooting at Anugerah Church belonged to him.

However, the suspect claimed he had not used the gun. He accused his wife of removing the gun from the safe and giving it to an unknown party.

Five people were wounded in the attack on Anugerah Church, which came five months after a group of armed people stormed into another church and opened fire on the congregation. A woman minister, Susianti Tinulele, was killed in that attack. Police have not arrested any of the suspected gunmen.