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Security strengthened as Jessica’s trial begins
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Murder suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso at Pondok Bambu in East Jakarta. ( tribunnews.com/Amriyono Prakoso)
P
olice have strengthened security at the Central Jakarta District Court as the high profile Wayan Mirna Salihin murder trail begins on Wednesday with the sole suspect, Jessica Kumala Wongso, standing accused.
“We have prepared a company of police officers, consisting of about 90 personnel to guard the trial,” said Jakarta City Police spokesman Sr. Corm. Awi Setiyono as reported by kompas.com on Wednesday.
The prosecutors are scheduled to read the indictment against Jessica, who has been accused of committing premeditated murder.
According to Indonesian law premeditated murder carries a maximal penalty of death. However, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly has said that an agreement was made between Indonesia and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that Jessica would not be handed the maximum sentence. According to Yasonna, the agreement was made when the Jakarta police sought information from AFP regarding Jessica and Mirna, who had both spent time studying in Australia.
Awi said he was informed by a relative of Mirna that a demonstration would be carried out. “We are prepared to guard the demonstration,” he added.
Mirna died after consuming an iced coffee at Olivier Cafe in Central Jakarta during a meeting with Jessica and another friend on Jan. 6. Police allege that laboratory tests confirm that the coffee consumed by Mirna during the meeting had been laced with cyanide.
The police have found it difficult to prove who placed the poison in the cup, leading to a lengthy process of investigation. Prosecutors accepted the case dossier two days before Jessica’s 120-day detention period expired.
Jessica’s lawyers insist that their client is innocent, claiming that the police have yet to show any evidence indicating that Jessica had poisoned the coffee.
Awi declined to comment on the results of the police investigation. “The case has already been placed in the hands of the prosecutors,” he said (bbn)
