A witness in the murder of local journalist Anak Agung Bagus Narendra Prabangsa recanted his earlier testimony during a hearing Tuesday at the trial of prime suspect Nyoman Susrama.
I Komang "Mangde" Gede Wardana, who is also standing trial in the case, claimed he had been forced to give false testimony by Bali Police investigators.
"I was forced by the investigators to make the testimony," he told presiding judge Djumain at the Denpasar District Court.
"I had no choice because they abused me."
Mangde initially testified that he was among the suspects who assaulted Prabangsa during the victim's torture at Susrama's residence.
He also testified to helping move the victim's corpse from a car to a boat, before throwing it into Bungsil Bay in Klungkung regency.
"I had no choice but to follow the investigators' instructions when re-enacting the events, because they abused me," Mangde said. "So now I wish to recant the testimony because I signed it under duress."
He claimed instead that when the murder took place on Feb. 11, he was at home all day, although he had met with Susrama during the latter's campaign for a seat at the Bangli Legislative Council.
Susrama, the younger brother of Bangli Regent Nengah Arnawa, eventually won the seat.
In response to Mangde recanting his testimony, Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Gde Sugianyar Dwiputra said the move was merely a tactic to divert course of the trial. "Let the judges prove it. The prosecutors have finished reviewing the dossier we submitted them, so clearly they believe in its veracity," he said.
Prabangsa, an editor at the Radar Bali daily, was found dead in Bungsil Bay on Feb. 16.
Colleagues and media activists allege that his abduction and subsequent murder were linked to his coverage of possible corruption in several construction projects financed by government agencies in Bangli regency.
Susrama was the supervisor of the projects. He has been charged with murder, a capital crime.
Eight other suspects are being tried in the same case. They face charges ranging from homicide to conspiracy to commit homicide to accessory to homicide.
Seven of the nine suspects face capital charges: Susrama, Mangde, I Nyoman "Rencana" Wiradnyana, Dewa "Sumbawa" Gede Mulya Antara, Ida "Gus Oblong" Bagus, Made Adnyana Narbawa and I Wayan "Maong" Suecita.
