Criminalization Threat To Law Enforcement In Indonesia

Bengkulu (Antara Bali) - An investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Novel Baswedan said criminalization of a law officer is a threat to law enforcement in Indonesia

"It would be a serious problem for law enforcement in Indonesia," Novel said here on Friday.

Novel  is facing charge of gross mistreatment causing the death of a suspect  in Bengkulu in 2004 when he was head of police criminal division  in that province.

Novel said the case  was long closed, but police  raised the issue again following KPK - police conflicts several years later.

Novel was a senior investigator of KPK in major corruption case involving a number of high ranking police officers including Ins.Gen. Djoko Susilo now serving a jail term in Jakarta.

He said a law officer is the likeliest target of criminalization  when investigating legal cases of a "strong man".

He refused to say that he was also a victim of criminalization.

He also refused to speculate that he was facing legal case on alleged gross mistreatment of  thief  in Bengkulu in 2004.

"I don't want to see this as a criminalization against me myself," he said.

Police had been accused of criminalization for naming two KPK's leaders Bambang Widjojanto and Abraham Samad suspects in cases long closed.  
The police move came following continued conflict between the two law enforcement agencies.

Police wrapped up investigation of Novel case  and the dossier was handed over to the Bengkulu prosecution office on Thursday night.

Novel was charged with mistreating  causing the death of criminal suspect. (WDY)