Suspect in Yemeni's death arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested a 26-year-old Palestinian for his alleged role in the killing of a Yemeni man who was found dead in a West Jakarta hotel on June 8, an official said yesterday.

The suspect, identified only as Rusdi, was apprehended by police detectives on Wednesday in Slipi and is being detained at city police headquarters, Lt. Col. Bakat Purwanto, deputy of city police detectives, told The Jakarta Post.

"The suspect has not yet admitted to the killing, but we have strong leads which point to him," Bakat said. He refused to give further details.

Last week, Rusdi called the Post to deny any involvement in the murder.

According to officer Bakat, the police are still searching for two other suspects in the case.

He, however, refused to name the two.

It is believed that the murder was connected to the theft of US$30,000 which belonged to the victim, Hasan Muhammad Yeslam, 26.

Hasan was found with his throat slashed in room 312 of Pitagiri Hotel, Palmerah, West Jakarta, by a security guard.

"Based on our investigation, we believe the murder took place a day before (June 7) at between 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.," Bakat said.

Hasan was probably involved in a struggle with the robber(s), Bakat added. (edt)