Munir’s murder suspect indicted in Jakarta court
10 September 2008 12:57 am

The Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) reported on the hearing of Muchdi Purwoprandjono, the former Deputy V of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), on the murder case of prominent Indonesian human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

Muchdi is indicted in the South Jakarta District Court acording to Article 340 of the Indonesia's Criminal Code. He faces a life sentence if found guilty.

During the indictment, it was mentioned that Munir was one of the well known human rights activist and vocal critic of Indonesian policies.

One of his activities was to resolve the cases of enforced disappearances of activists in 1997 when he uncovered one of the perpetrators, Muchdi Purwoprandjono, when he was General Command of Special Armed Forces.

Muchdi was later suspended. When Muchdi became the Deputy V of BIN, he was said to have abused his authority and took revenge on the late Munir by murdering him. He, then, claimed that Pollycarpus was an agent of BIN.

A letter signed by BIN (released by Muchdi) allowed Pollycarpus to be a part of the Aviation Security in the Garuda aircraft which carried Munir when he left Jakarta for studies in the Netherlands. Pollycarpus tried to monitor Munir's activities before his departure overseas on 6 September 2004.

He called Munir's cell phone, which was answered by his wife Suciwati, who told him that Munir will leave Jakarta on 6 September 2004.

Meanwhile, the Court house was fully occupied by the White and Red Brigade from Muchdi's group.

Outside the court, the group held a demonstration with posters carrying the message: "Judges do not obey pressure from outside,the government and apparatus do not obey NGOs and judge's intervention".