Three cops suspended over concert deaths

Yuli Tri Suwarni , The Jakarta Post , Bandung | Sat, 02/23/2008 4:44 PM | The Archipelago

Three police officers have been suspended and will face a disciplinary hearing next week over the recent deaths of 11 people at a dangerously overcrowded rock concert in Bandung.

West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Susno Duadji said Friday the officers had received written notice of their suspensions.

Greater Bandung Police chief of detectives Adj. Sr. Comr. Soni Sonjaya, Bandung precinct chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Singgih Mardiono and Sumur Police chief Adj. Comr. Ogianto have all been suspended.

The three were responsible for issuing security permits for the Feb. 9 concert at the Asian-African Cultural Center.

The three officers have been temporarily posted at the provincial police headquarters as they await a disciplinary hearing next week.

Susno has appointed replacements for the three: Comr. Benny Sujana for Soni, Adj. Sr. Comr. Syukri Lubis for Singgih and Adj. Comr. Nurrijal for Ogianto.

Provincial police spokesman Sr. Comr. Dede Ahmad said the suspensions and disciplinary hearing were normal police procedure and did not necessarily mean the officers involved had violated the law.

"The police trial will be conducted next week so we do not know the nature of the three officers' crimes yet," he said, adding that the three acting replacement officers were already on the job.

According to a statement from Enk Ink Enk Productions, which organized the concert, a security permit was issued for the concert, held to mark the launch of a new album by rock group Beside.

Three people involved in organizing the concert have been detained as suspects in the case and their files have been sent to the Bandung Prosecutor's Office.

Greater Bandung Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Suparsono said an adequate number of police personnel were deployed to maintain security during the concert.

"We assigned 21 police personnel to maintain security and protect some 750 visitors. The problem was the organizers sold more tickets than the building could hold," Suparsono said.

He said the tragedy would remind police to be more diligent in issuing permits for concerts in the city.

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