Soldier's alleged killer turns himself in: Police spokesman

JAKARTA (JP): The alleged killer of Chief Sgt. Ahmat Tohir has surrendered to Pasar Rebo Police in East Jakarta, an officer said yesterday.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the suspect, identified as Hasan Usman, arrived at the police station about 5 p.m. Friday.

He was accompanied by a friend, Aritonang said.

"Usman was then taken to City Police Headquarters for further questioning by officers from the detective unit," he said.

"Usman was believed to have abandoned his hideouts following advice from his family," Aritonang said, adding that the suspect's family must have persuaded him to surrender.

Police officers often went to the family house in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, asking for information on Usman's whereabouts, he said.

Usman has been in hiding since Oct. 21, the day he allegedly used a machete to slash Tohir's neck.

Tohir, an army officer from the Jatiwaringin military subdistrict in Bekasi, West Java, was killed while helping solve a dispute between two groups of laborers at Pondok Gede market.

He was assigned to escort members of one group, Kiara Youth, to the Bekasi military district for a conciliatory meeting with the rival group Warga Jaya.

The suspect, who was the leader of Kiara Youth, stopped the convoy on Jl. Jati Makmur, Pondok Gede, and was involved in an argument with Tohir.

The suspect allegedly attacked Tohir, who was apparently unable to defend himself, with the machete, Aritonang said.

"We examined his physical and mental condition before proceeding with the interrogation."

He said the examination was necessary, especially for suspects who "voluntarily" give themselves up.

"We have to make sure that all the information he gives us is not being influenced by some physical or mental pressure from another party."

Aritonang said Usman's information would be compared with the statement of a police officer, identified as First Sgt. Sitompul, who arrived at the crime scene in a car with Usman.

Sitompul had been detained by military police for further questioning about his possible involvement in the murder, he said. (cst)