Suspects of mutilated case arrested

BOGOR: A joint team from the Bogor and Cisarua police announced on Sunday the findings of its investigation into a murder- mutilation case.

Bogor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Taufik said the motive behind the murder was financial.

Taufik said Benged Siahaan, alias Lilis, a 37-year-old transvestite, murdered Abdul Kadir Alhabsyi, 40, a resident of Gedong subdistrict, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, to obtain money for a sex change operation. Lilis was allegedly the victim's lover.

The police chief charged that Lilis was aided in the murder by Lilis' wife, Yati Wirotjo, 35, who reportedly was jealous of the victim, and two other suspects, Heru Lamia, 27, and Surip, alias Jumari, 40. All of the suspects are residents of Cimanggis, Depok.

Heru allegedly took part in the murder because he owed the victim Rp 500,000.

It is alleged that before killing Abdul last Friday, Lilis knocked out the victim with sleeping pill-laced milk. With the help of the three other suspects, Lilis allegedly chopped up Abdul's body and placed the body parts into five black plastic bags, which were put in the trunk of a Royal City taxi.

The taxi was then driven to Cisarua, Bogor, and abandoned in front of the Tugu Sari restaurant.

Police confiscated a machete, an axe and a knife from the suspects.