The pre-trial hearing to contest the National Police's decision to arrest its former chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji and name him as a suspect was held at South Jakarta District Court on Monday. Susno, who is in a detention facility in Depok, West Java, will not be attending the hearing.

"He is not present today but we'll request that the judge allow him attend the next hearing," M. Assegaf, one of Susno's lawyers said on an SCTV report. Today's agenda was to hear the lawyers' motion read by Henry Yosodiningrat.

Henry said Susno's arrest was not based on sufficient evidence and it was not necessary. The hearing would resume tomorrow with the police's response. If the judge accepted the pre-trial motion, the case against Susno would be closed.

A number of public figures and retired police officials attended the hearing, including Ret. Senior Official Marsudi Hanafi. "I'm here today to support Susno. Truth will prevail because Indonesia is a nation of law," Marsudi said.

Outside the courtroom, both supporters and non supporters of Susno clashed. Around 100 people from "National Solidarity Against Corruption and Case Brokers" chanted "Free Susno!", while around 500 people shouted back "Susno is a whistle-blower!"

A member of the "Sky Army", the group opposing Susno, threw a plastic water bottle towards the supporters who retaliated by throwing more bottles. Police intervened and ordered both groups to distance themselves from each other.