Maria Gabrielle, Jakarta – Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Karyoto publicly apologized on Sunday after videos emerged on social media platforms showing Mario Dandy, a suspect in a notorious violent attack on a teenager, putting on loose zip ties by himself to pretend that he was under restraint.
Police earlier doubted the authenticity of the video and said it could have been doctored, triggering further controversy and allegations that Mario, the son of a former high-ranking tax official who is currently being detained for corruption charges, is receiving special treatment from officers.
In another video, Mario offered an apology to his victim while smiling with a remorseless face to fuel condemnations from internet users.
Police said both videos were taken at the Jakarta Police detention facility but they didn't say when.
The internet outrage came after prosecutors said the case is ready for a trial.
"This comes as a correction to the Jakarta Police so I accept and thank internet users for their criticisms into the handling of the case that looks like [Mario] is receiving a privilege," Karyoto told a news conference.
"After seeing the videos, as the man in charge of the Jakarta Police, I offer my apology."
He added that an investigation is underway to find if there is a violation of the standard operating procedures in the handling of detainees.
Karyoto said the Jakarta Police will gracefully take criticisms from community members and use them to better serve the public.
Mario, 20, is accused of attacking David Ozora who remains under hospital treatment since he was punched and kicked in the head in February.
He is charged with assault and battery that carries a prison sentence of up to 12 years.
Last month, his 15-year-old girlfriend was found guilty of becoming complicit in the attack and sentenced to 3.5 years in the juvenile detention facility.
Mario is the son of former high-ranking tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo, who is being detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission in March amid reports of undeclared assets and suspicious transactions worth hundreds of billions of rupiah.