Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the case of Mr. Sudirman, a drug dealer, who was burnt alive by Brigadier Sony Saputra, a police officer of the Karimun Police Resort (Polres Karimun), and the Officer’s friends. Sony was hImself involved in the drug business, benefiting from the same. When Sudirman failed to provide marijuana to Brigadier Sony it angered the Briagadier, who then burnt Sudirman alive.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Mr. Sudirman, from Pandrah Sub-district, Bireuen Regency, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Province, Indonesia, was an illegal drug dealer, selling shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and marijuana. For a long time, he had been a source of money to Brigadier Sony and his friends. Despite being a police officer, Sony has been party to the drug trade, taking a lot of money from Sudirman.
On one occasion, Brigadier Sony requested Sudirman to provide shabu-shabu and marijuana to be sold in Karimun Regency, Riau Island Province. Sudirman failed to provide the drugs, which angered Sony. Sony gave Sudirman another opportunity to do so. However, Sudirman still did not provide the drugs.
Sony then decided to kill Sudirman. On Wednesday night, 14 January 2015, accompanied by two of his friends, one fellow police officer from Karimun Police Resort and one civilian, Sony set out to find Sudirman and burn him alive.
Sudirman was found at around 9:45 p.m. by Mr. Ismail, a resident of RT 01 RW 02, Pelambung, Pongkar Village, Tebing Sub-district, Karimun Regency. Sudirman was yelling in pain and in a sitting position on the roadside near a waterfall, handcuffed, and with full-body burns. Ismail immediately reported this to local residents and the Village Head. Sudirman was then taken to Karimun Hospital, where he was treated in emergency; according to the doctor, Sudirman suffered 90 percent burns. He died while being treated.
A day later, Sony was arrested and detained in police custody. After investigation, the public prosecutor of Karimun Regency charged him with Article 355, Paragraph 2 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP), relating to premeditated brutal attacks, with a maximum sentence of 15-years imprisonment.
On 10 July 2015, judges of the Karimun District Court sentenced Sony to only 12-years imprisonment, without any compensation for the victim’s family. Meanwhile, Sony’s two friends, who accompanied him, have yet to be prosecuted.
The facts clearly show that Sony and his friends set out to burn Sudirman alive; they should thus be charged with premeditated murder under Article 340 of the KUHP, with maximum life imprisonment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Police brutality still occurs in Indonesia frequently. In 2015, the AHRC has documented several patterns of police brutality that have caused serious injuries or even the death of victims: the case of police killing five teenagers and injuring others (AHRC-UAC-089-2015), police attacking and shooting at 10 Papuan youth (AHRC-UAC-090-2015) are two examples.
The Government, in particular the National Police, have yet to show their seriousness in improving police accountability and strengthening professionalism in the force, although a lot of resources, national and international, have been spent to train the police. Police brutality and various types of human rights violations conducted by the police continue to occur.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the perpetrators, Brigadier Sony and his friends, are held accountable under the standard of fair trial. The Chief of National Police and the Public Attorney must ensure that all perpetrators are brought to the court and charged with premeditated murder under Article 340 of the KUHP with maximum sentence for life imprisonment, considering the gravity of the crime.
The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) should also ensure that proper investigation is conducted within the police regarding the involvement of Brigadier Sony and any other officers in the drug trade. Lastly, the police should provide compensation to Sudirman’s family and ensure that similar crimes do not recur.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
INDONESIA: Drug dealer burnt alive for failing to provide drugs and money to police
Name of victim: Mr. Sudirman
Alleged perpetrators: Brigadier Sony Saputra and two of his friends
Date of incident: 14 January 2015
Place of incident: Hutan lindung Gunung Jantan, RT 01 RW 01, Desa Pongkar, Kecamatan Tebing, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the case of Mr. Sudirman, a drug dealer, who was burnt alive by Brigadier Sony Saputra, a police officer of the Karimun Police Resort (Polres Karimun), and the Officer’s friends. Sony was hmself involved in the drug business, benefitting from the same. When Sudirman failed to provide marijuana to Brigadier Sony it angered the Briagadier, who then burnt Sudirman alive.
Mr. Sudirman, from Pandrah Sub-district, Bireuen Regency, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Province, Indonesia, was an illegal drug dealer, selling shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and marijuana. For a long time, he had been a source of money to Brigadier Sony and his friends. Despite being a police officer, Sony has been party to the drug trade, taking a lot of money from Sudirman.
On one occasion, Brigadier Sony requested Sudirman to provide shabu-shabu and marijuana to be sold in Karimun Regency, Riau Island Province. Sudirman failed to provide the drugs, which angered Sony. Sony gave Sudirman another opportunity to do so. However, Sudirman still did not provide the drugs.
Sony then decided to kill Sudirman. On Wednesday night, 14 January 2015, accompanied by two of his friends, one fellow police officer from Karimun Police Resort and one civilian, Sony set out to find Sudirman and burn him alive.
Sudirman was found at around 9:45 p.m. by Mr. Ismail, a resident of RT 01 RW 02, Pelambung, Pongkar Village, Tebing Sub-district, Karimun Regency. Sudirman was yelling in pain and in a sitting position on the roadside near a waterfall, handcuffed, and with full-body burns. Ismail immediately reported this to local residents and the Village Head. Sudirman was then taken to Karimun Hospital, where he was treated in emergency; according to the doctor, Sudirman suffered 90 percent burns. He died while being treated.
A day later, Sony was arrested and detained in police custody. After investigation, the public prosecutor of Karimun Regency charged him with Article 355, Paragraph 2 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP), relating to premeditated brutal attacks, with a maximum sentence of 15-years imprisonment.
On 10 July 2015, judges of the Karimun District Court sentenced Sony to only 12-years imprisonment, without any compensation for the victim’s family. Meanwhile, Sony’s two friends, who accompanied him, have yet to be prosecuted.
The facts clearly show that Sony and his friends set out to burn Sudirman alive; they should thus be charged with premeditated murder under Article 340 of the KUHP, with maximum life imprisonment.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the perpetrators, Brigadier Sony and his friends, are held accountable under the standards of fair trial.
The Chief of National Police and the public attorney must ensure that all perpetrators are brought to the court and charged with premeditated murder under Article 340 of the KUHP with maximum sentence for life imprisonment, considering the gravity of the crime.
The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) should also ensure that proper investigation is conducted within the police regarding the involvement of Brigadier Sony and any other officers in the drug trade. Lastly, the police should provide compensation to Sudirman’s family and ensure that similar crimes do not recur.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister
Ministry of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Badroedin Haiti
Chief of National Police
KAPOLRI
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Mr. Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno
Chairperson
National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Mr. Nur Kholis
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
7. Mr. Suparman Marzuki
Chairperson of The Judicial Commission
Jalan Kramat Raya No. 57 Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3905876
Fax: +62 21 3906215
Email: pengaduan@komisiyudisial.go.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
