Former BIN top officer ready to face court

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 01/28/2008 4:00 AM  |  National

Former intelligence official Muchdi Purwo Prandjono will remain in Jakarta and is ready to face police investigations related to the murder of rights activist Munir Said Thalib, his lawyer said Sunday.

"Muchdi works and resides in Jakarta. He is always in Jakarta," M. Mahendradatta told The Jakarta Post.

Muchdi, the deputy chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) under the Megawati Soekarnoputri government, was mentioned in a written statement issued by BIN agent Budi Santoso that was read out in court.

The statement suggested Muchdi and Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, who on Friday was convicted of the murder, were in regular contact with one another.

Budi said based on Muchdi's orders he gave Pollycarpus Rp 10 million (approximately US$1,070) on June 14, 2004, and another Rp 3-4 million for an unknown purpose when Pollycarpus was under investigation in connection with Munir's murder.

In a Supreme Court case review demanded by state prosecutors, Pollycarpus was sentenced to 20 years in jail Friday for the premeditated murder of Munir.

In a statement issued to the press following his conviction, Pollycarpus said the verdict was unfair and he was an innocent victim. He also said he did not know Muchdi.

Another of Pollycarpus' lawyers, M. Assegaff, said he had suggested his client file for a case review.

Munir died from arsenic poisoning on board a Garuda flight on Sept. 7, 2004. Pollycarpus was on the same flight, which was made possible by the fact an assignment letter was signed by Garuda president director Indra Setiawan, who is also standing trial for the murder.

Evidence initially indicated Munir was poisoned on the flight between Jakarta and Singapore. However, justice Djoko Sarwoko said last Friday the latest evidence suggested Munir was poisoned at Singapore's Changi airport.

Police said Saturday they would question Pollycarpus as a witness before questioning former BIN officials allegedly linked to the case.

Besides Muchdi, former BIN deputy chief M. As'ad has also been linked to the high-profile murder. As'ad allegedly assigned Pollycarpus as a security officer on the flight between Jakarta and Amsterdam.

However, Muchdi and As'ad are yet to be named as suspects.

Mahendradatta said he was studying the case.

"Everyone has the right to demand the arrest of others, as long as it is in accordance with legal procedures," he said.

He said he felt Munir's murder case may have been politicized in light of the fact senior BIN officials under the Megawati presidency have been linked to the case.

"There are local and foreign political powers using this case for their own purposes. These people do not want to see Megawati becoming president again and will try to corner the former BIN officials," Mahendradatta said. (wda)

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