Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) highlighted the investigation of the fatal shooting that killed policeman, Brigadier J at the residence of the National Police's Internal Affairs Division (Propam) Chief Ir. Gen. Ferdy Sambo on July 8, 2022.
Brig. J was killed in a shootout with his fellow officer Bharada E. last Friday. A number of parties considered the death Brig. J who serves as a non-commissioned officer (Bintara) has many irregularities.
"Based on the information we have gathered, there are various irregularities in the investigation process," said KontraS' Deputy Coordinator Rivanlee Anandar in a statement on Thursday, July 14, 2022.
Rivanlee said that several chronologies submitted by the police contained irregularities, including a significantly long delay between the time of occurrence of the incident and the public announcement, which takes about two days, the changes in the chronology submitted by the police; and the findings of cut wounds on Brig. J's face.
Other strange facts include the restriction for the victim's family to see the body; offline CCTV cameras at the time of the incident; and the statement made by the head of the local neighborhood unit (RT) who claimed to be unaware of the incident and the examination of the crime scene.
"We assess that a number of irregularities are vital indications that the police seem to cover up and obscure the facts of Brigadier J's death. In addition, the Propam Chief's whereabouts during the incident were not clear," Rivanlee explained.
KontraS noted that this was not the first time that the police made attempts to hide facts. Previously, there was the fatal shooting of six members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), which was revealed by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) during the court trials.
Based on these facts, KontraS urged the National Police Chief to ensure the independence and transparency of the special team tasked to uncover the case and periodically inform the public of the case developments.
The National Police Chief was also demanded to ensure a safe room for the victim's family to provide input and suggestions that are free from intimidation and other forms of pressure in order to obtain the facts as clear as possible.
"Thirdly, we ask for external police supervision, such as Kompolnas, to ensure institutional professionalism in investigating cases, and asking the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) to guarantee protection for the victims' families," Rivanlee concluded.