JAKARTA: The Indonesian National Police has suspended a two-star general from active duty, after his bodyguard was fatally shot in suspicious circumstances at the general’s house.
National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said on Monday (Jul 18) that Inspector General Ferdy Sambo has been suspended from his position as chief of internal affairs, as the authorities investigate the killing of 27-year-old Nopryansyah Yosua Hutabarat.
“The (decision) is taken to ensure that what we are doing remains objective, transparent and accountable so that the ongoing investigation process can run smoothly and shed light on this incident,” Mr Prabowo told reporters at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta.
“The process is ongoing. Witnesses are being examined. Evidence is being collected. We are committed to ensure that the whole process meets with scientific standards.”
Mr Hutabarat, a police sergeant assigned to guard Mr Sambo’s family, was killed on Jul 8. He had multiple bullet wounds on his body. Police said that Mr Hutabarat was killed by another police officer in a shootout at Mr Sambo’s home.
Police also said that Mr Hutabarat had tried to sexually assault Mr Sambo’s wife and that the second officer was trying to protect her.
The police did not disclose the incident until Jul 11. They also withheld the identity of Mr Hutabarat’s shooter, identifying him only by his initial “E”.
Police also said on Jul 12 that several surveillance cameras which could have captured the incident were broken.
Meanwhile, Indonesian media reported that none of Mr Sambo’s neighbours recalled hearing a shootout or seeing an ambulance arriving at the scene.
Lawyers for Mr Hutabarat’s family were quoted as saying by local media that there were seven gunshot wounds on the slain officer’s body. The lawyers also reportedly said that Mr Hutabarat had dislocated his shoulder and jaw. There were various cuts and bruises all over his body, they added.
The circumstances surrounding Mr Hutabarat’s death led to speculation by local news outlets that the slain officer was having an affair with Mr Sambo’s wife and was tortured and killed as a result. The South Jakarta police declined to comment when asked about this theory last week.
Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD has lauded the police’s move to suspend Mr Sambo. He tweeted on Monday that the police “are responding quickly towards people’s aspirations”, referring to calls by experts and politicians to suspend the two-star general.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asi...spended-bodyguard-dead-gunshot-wounds-2820001
