MUNIR MURDER -- POLICE CONTINUE INVESTIGATION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 003117

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, INR/EAP
NSC FOR EPHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KJUS ID
SUBJECT: MUNIR MURDER -- POLICE CONTINUE INVESTIGATION OF
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

REF: A. JAKARTA 3001

B. JAKARTA 2869

C. JAKARTA 2408

D. 2006 JAKARTA 1223 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Indonesian Intelligence Agency (BIN) for
the first time has publicly acknowledged that it is being
investigated by police for the 2004 murder of well-known
human rights activist Munir Thalib. Meanwhile, trials for
two suspects continue with witnesses revealing likely
intelligence agency involvement. In other news, the Supreme
Court will likely soon announce whether or not it will grant
a review of its controversial 2006 acquittal of the key
murder suspect. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) BIN INVESTIGATED: Progress toward accountability
continues to be made in the Munir case. Chief of BIN Sjamsir
Siregar for the first time has publicly acknowledged that BIN
Deputy Chief As'ad Said Alim is being investigated by police
for the 2004 Munir murder (see reftels). The Chief of BIN
did not complain about the investigation in any manner.
BIN's public acknowledgment of the police investigation is a
significant step in the ongoing effort to hold Indonesian
security forces or security-related agencies accountable for
past human rights violations.


3. (SBU) TRIALS CONTINUE: Trials of two Munir case
suspects--former Garuda Airlines chief Indra Setiawan and
Operational Support Officer Rohainil Aini--continue with new
revelations. In the Setiawan trial, a key witness described
the work of Pollycarpus Priyanto--the off-duty Garuda
Airlines pilot acquitted of Munir's murder in a controversial
ruling (ref D)--as "intelligence work" during a November 7
hearing. Pollycarpus was called to testify but did not
appear "due to illness." He is scheduled to appear at the
next hearing.


4. (C) The trials are producing evidence that Pollycarpus
had no work-related reason to be on a Garuda flight to
Singapore. (Note: Pollycarpus allegedly poisoned Munir in a
coffee shop in Changi airport while in transit; Munir
succumbed on a flight to the Netherlands.) This evidence
tends to indicate that Pollycarpus may have been on board the
Jakarta-Singapore flight for some other reason and apparently
had been placed there by BIN with the acquiescence of Garuda
officials.


5. (C) SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW?: A key aspect of the case
involves the Supreme Court. In a November 7 meeting with
poloff, Hamid--a lawyer working with Munir widow
Suciwati--said the Supreme Court has requested a meeting with
the two regarding the Court's imminent decision on whether to
review the controversial 2006 acquittal of Pollycarpus.
Hamid, Suciwati, and other human rights activists from the
Munir Solidarity Action Committee (KASUM) had requested that
the Supreme Court review of Pollycarpus's case take place in
open court. The Supreme Court rejected this request, but,
according to Hamid, promised a private explanation of how the
court plans to proceed. The human rights community continues
to demand that the Court reinstate Pollycarpus' conviction.

HUME