Soldier's alleged killer turns himself in: Police spokesman

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)