YOGYAKARTA, A former bouncer at Hugo's Cafe, Joko
Kurniawan, said there were more than four people involved in the assault and
murder of chief Sgt. Heru Santoso, a member of the Army's Special Forces
(Kopassus) Group 2.
The incident was part of the motives that triggered
the attack by Kopassus members against four detainees entrusted by the
Yogyakarta Police at the Cebongan Penitentiary in Sleman, Yogyakarta, in March.
"I don't know how many but there were more
than eight assailants," Joko, a mitigating witness in the trial involving
second sergeants Ucok Tigor Simbolon and Sugeng Sumaryanto and First Cpl.
Kodik, told the II-11 Yogyakarta Military Court on Monday.
The Yogyakarta Police, however, have only arrested
four suspects in the murder case which took place in the early hours of March
19. The four suspects were shot and killed by Ucok, assisted by his colleagues.
The suspects were Hendrik Angel Sahetapi (Deki),
Yohanes Juan Mambait (Juan), Gameliel Yermianto Rohi Riwu (Adi) and Adrianus
Candra Galaja (Dedi).
"This is a state of law, but why have Deki's
friends yet to be caught [by police]," said military prosecutor Lt. Col.
Budiharto.
Joko said Deki and his friends had always
patronized Hugo's Cafe in a group of at least 10 people. In a week, the group
could come to the cafe for up to four times, he added.
Joko said they often cause commotions, such as
breaking glasses and bottles. The group also wished to become security guards
at the cafe but was turned down.
"When the incident occurred, I saw the group
was in an argument with Heru after they knocked shoulders. I then held Deki,
and a brawl ensued, but I was unclear who was involved. Someone from Dedi's
right handed a bottle to Deki which he used to hit Heru's head," said
Joko.
Joko and another security guard were not able to
separate them because more of Deki's friends arrived and joined the brawl by
hitting, trampling and throwing glasses and bottles at the victim. Deki then
stabbed Heru's chest.
Heru came to the cafe with two of his friends who
did not help him in the fight. The identities of the two men were still
unknown.
Joko said when the incident took place, the cafe's
operation permit was still on trial as a murder case had occurred two months
earlier. Officers from the East Depok Police were still securing the front of
the cafe when the incident occurred.
"To me, Deki's group had committed a heinous
murder," said Joko.
Yogyakarta Police spokeswoman Adj. Sr. Comr. Anny
Pujiastuti said the witness could say so but the judges would carry out cross
examination. She said there were only four people recorded on the cafe's CCTV.
Criminal law expert at Gadjah Mada University Edward
Oemar Syarief Hiariej also testified for the second and third dossiers.
Lawyers of the defendants in the second and third
dossiers produced Edward to testify whether the defendants could be implicated
in the planned murder together with those in the first dossier.
The trial will adjourn on Tuesday to examine
defendants in the first and second dossiers followed by examination of
evidence. (Bambang Muryanto), Sumber
Koran: THE JAKARTA POST (Tuesday July 23, 2013/Page 05)