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Novel case difficult to solve: Police
The National Police Criminal Investigation Department chief Comr. Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto said an acid attack against the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) top investigator Novel Baswedan was a difficult case to solve as the perpetrators immediately withdrew from the scene.
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In this file photo on Aug. 9, activists carry a banner that reads "One eye lost, millions of others scrutinize" during a rally at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters. They demand that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo establish an independent fact-finding team to help investigate the acid attack against senior KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, whose eyes were severely injured in an acid attack in April. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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ix months after the acid attack against the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) top investigator Novel Baswedan, the National Police have yet to name any suspect in the case.
The National Police's Criminal Investigation Department chief Comr. Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto said Novel's case was difficult to solve because of a "hit-and-run" method where the perpetrators immediately withdrew from the scene.
Such cases, he said, may take years to solve.
"Hit-and-run cases are indeed relatively difficult. Although it does not necessarily mean we will fail. It has only been a few months since the attack [and too early to conclude the investigation]," Ari say on Wednesday, as quoted by Tribunnews.com.
In a similar case, the police managed to arrest the suspects after four years of investigation, he added.
On April 11, Novel was attacked by two unidentified men who threw acid on his face, causing him to suffer serious injuries to his eyes. At the time of the attack, Novel was leading a KPK investigation in the e-ID graft case, which has implicated several members of the House of Representatives and high-ranking government officials.
The police, Ari said, had questioned dozens of witnesses but nothing had led to a significant breakthrough in the investigation.
"For now, [we only have] these witnesses. [But] we will continue to look for further information," Ari said.
Novel, who is currently receiving medical treatment in Singapore, is scheduled to undergo a second operation to his left eye later this month. (foy/ipa)
