Udin's alleged killer freed from murder charge

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Prosecutors yesterday dropped their case against Dwi Sumadji, accused of murdering Bernas daily journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafrudin, and called for his release after conceding there was insufficient evidence to support their case.

Prosecutor Amrin Naim told the court that the indictment against Dwi Sumadji, alias Iwik, was not supported by material evidence or credible testimony.

The court will still reconvene next week as defense lawyers say they still want to read Iwik's defense.

But unless presiding judge at Bantul District Court, Judge Endang Sri Murwati, comes up with a shock decision, the prosecution's request means Iwik is cleared of all charges against him.

The controversial trial which began in March has brought forward over 31 witnesses for the prosecution, and not one has supported the charge against 31-year-old driver.

Iwik was charged with the murder of Syafrudin, alias Udin, who was assaulted at his home by an unidentified man on Aug. 13 last year.

Udin died three days later without regaining consciousness.

There has been widespread speculation that Udin was murdered for his exposes on corruption in the area.

Police insisted that he was killed because of jealousy over a love affair.

The prosecution attempted to claim that the journalist was murdered because he was having an affair Iwik's wife.

But the trial could never established this charge.

Iwik's wife, Sunarti, testified that she had never had an affair with Udin who she knew only when they were in high school.

Iwik claims he was forced by police to admit a crime he did not commit.

Iwik retracted a previous confession to the crime, and said he had never even met the journalist.

Instead, he said that Edy, a police officer, had prepared a "scenario" casting him as the killer.

Iwik claimed the whole case was a cover-up to protect Bantul Regent Sri Roso Soedarmo.

From the beginning the investigation into the case has been marred by irregularities.

At one stage, police Sgt. Maj. Edy Wuryanto was brought to court as a witness and it was discovered that he had tampered with some of the evidence, namely a sample of Udin's blood.

After hearing the prosecution's statement yesterday, the people in the court gallery cried out for joy.

The packed Bantul courthouse came alive as people rushed to congratulate Iwik and his family.

Iwik himself looked more relieved than happy.

"I'm glad that justice still exists," Iwik said.

Separately, the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) said in a statement yesterday that police must reinvestigate the case.

PBHI said the investigation should be directed at Bantul regency officials and Sgt. Maj. Edy Wuryanto who reportedly coerced a false confession from Iwik.

"The investigation must be carried out as soon as possible to uphold the principle of "equality before the law," PBHI's statement said.

It said the irregularities and controversies which popped up in the case could be an entry point for police to start their new investigation. (swa/23/10)