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Labora Sitorus arrested, returned to prison
Showing off: Dozens of members of a joint security force participate in the arrest of notorious low-ranking police officer Labora Sitorus in Sorong, West Papua, on Friday
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Showing off:: Dozens of members of a joint security force participate in the arrest of notorious low-ranking police officer Labora Sitorus in Sorong, West Papua, on Friday. Labora was sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering. More than 600 people from both the police and military took part in the operation. (Antara/Joy) (Antara/Joy)
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span class="inline inline-center">Showing off: Dozens of members of a joint security force participate in the arrest of notorious low-ranking police officer Labora Sitorus in Sorong, West Papua, on Friday. Labora was sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering. More than 600 people from both the police and military took part in the operation. (Antara/Joy)
Convicted money launderer, fuel stockpiler and illegal logger Labora Sitorus is back in prison after prosecutors from the Sorong Prosecutor's Office, assisted by some 720 police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, arrested him at his home Friday morning.
'Pak Labora Sitorus is currently in a cell waiting to undergo prison orientation next month. He will then be moved to a different cell. Pak Labora was sent here by prosecutors and later handed over to the prison warden,' Sorong Penitentiary warden Maliki Hasan told The Jakarta Post.
Labora was arrested at his home in Tampa Garam, East Rufei, Sorong, West Papua, despite hundreds of family members and supporters vowing to fight to protect him.
'The arrest took place peacefully [...] There was no resistance because we have communicated with his family, community and religious leaders, and the National Commission on Human Rights [Komnas HAM]. So, everything went peacefully,' West Papua Police chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw told the Post.
In an interview with the Post last week in Tampa Garam, Labora said he would commit suicide if he was arrested again by force.
He said committing suicide would ensure that his company, PT Rotua ' upon which 600 employees depend ' would remain operational and could be managed by his wife and children.
Labora's resistance to his arrest, said Waterpauw, was the result of a misunderstanding. After a meeting between Labora's relative, Fredy Fakdawer, and Otto Nur Abdullah from Komnas HAM, an agreement was reached.
'Labora can file for a case review for being ill and can seek treatment with permission from the prison warden. He doesn't understand these things yet. However, everything is now clear and understood,' Waterpauw said.
Labora was picked up by two police cars at his home. He used his private car to go to the prison, accompanied by Fredy and Otto.
Separately, Sorong Prosecutor's Office head Damra Muis said that after detaining Labora, the office would seize his assets.
'The important thing is today we have recaptured Labora and the others will follow as described in the ruling,' said Damra.
Labora's family said they had not yet decided to file for a case review.
'The family hasn't decided anything yet; maybe we'll discuss it tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Personally, I want our old lawyer, Johnson Panjaitan, to remain his lawyer should we decide to file for a case review, because he understands the case. A new lawyer would need a long time to study the case,' said Fredy.
Labora, who achieved notoriety as a low-ranking police officer with some Rp 1.5 trillion in his bank account, was convicted by the Sorong District Court and sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of Rp 500 million. He filed multiple appeals, but all were rejected, ending with a Supreme Court ruling required him to serve 15 years in prison and pay Rp 5 billion in fines.
He left Sorong Penitentiary in March last year for medical treatment and escaped.
