Two Indonesian police officers arrested over subordinate's death in Lombok
Muhammad Nurhadi, a brigadier in West Nusa Tenggara police's Internal Affairs Division, was found dead in a swimming pool at Tekek Villa in Gili Trawangan, North Lombok, on the night of Apr 16.
According to investigators, Nurhadi had attended a private party at the villa with his superiors - Yogi Purusa Utama and Ipda Haris Candra - alongside a woman identified as Misri and another witness known only by the initial P.
While Yogi and Haris initially claimed he had drowned, an autopsy in May later uncovered multiple injuries, including signs consistent with strangulation. They were arrested on Monday (Jul 7).
Local police have not explained the delay between the autopsy findings and the arrests.
Investigators now suspect that Nurhadi was assaulted and sedated after allegedly flirting with a female guest linked to either Yogi or Haris.
They have named Yogi, Haris and Misri as suspects in the case. Misri was arrested on Jul 2, according to local news site Detik.
Yogi and Haris have been dismissed from the force and will be held in custody for at least 21 days as investigations continue, reported local news outlet Jakarta Globe.
'This detention follows due legal process based on our investigation and is not a response to public or social media pressure,' said Catur Erwin Setiawan, head of Sub-Directorate III of West Nusa Tenggara's Criminal Investigation Department, at a press briefing on Monday.
The pair are being held in separate cells under tight security to safeguard their rights and ensure their safety, according to Muhammad Rifa'i, director of detention and evidence at West Nusa Tenggara police department, as reported by Detik.
AUTOPSY FINDINGS
Nurhadi's body was exhumed on May 1 for a post-mortem examination.
The autopsy revealed bodily injuries categorised as antemortem wounds, meaning they had occurred shortly before Nurhadi's death, according to Arfi Syamsun, a forensic doctor from Mataram State University, who was part of the post-mortem team.
'There were many types of wounds - abrasions, scrapes, bruises and lacerations. These were found on the head, neck, back and legs, especially on the left leg,' Arfi said on Jul 4, as quoted by local news platform Kompas.
Nurhadi's hyoid bone was also found to be fractured - an injury that indicates strangulation.
'If the hyoid bone is fractured, there is an 80 per cent chance that strangulation or pressure is applied to the neck area,' Arfi said.
Director of the regional police criminal investigation department Syarif Hidayat told local media that no closed-circuit television footage of the incident has been found.
He further said that Yogi and Haris were believed to have given dishonest statements during a lie detector test.
'All of them were found to be lying publicly,' Syarif was quoted as saying by Kompas on Friday.
Nurhadi's family has voiced frustration over the pace of the investigation, with his elder brother Hambali calling for those responsible to be held to account.
'We heard that my brother died from strangulation. We want justice. The perpetrators must be caught and punished severely,' Hambali said on Monday, as quoted by Jakarta Globe.
Indonesian politicians have also weighed in on the case. Abdullah, a member of the House of Representatives from the National Awakening Party, called for a thorough and transparent investigation.
'I am deeply concerned and strongly condemn the brutal act that led to the death of Brigadier Nurhadi. If it is true that he was assaulted by his seniors, this is a shameful abuse of power that must not be tolerated,' Abdullah, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, was quoted as saying by Kompas on Monday.
'We do not want the image of the national police to be tarnished by the actions of a few rogue individuals. The police must show firmness and integrity in uncovering the truth. Do not protect the perpetrators just because of their rank or position,' he said.
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