There Are Already 3 Suspects In The Tangerang Prison Fire, The Police Are Still Investigating The Suspicion That It Was Intentional

JAKARTA - Police are still investigating the alleged intentional element behind the Tangerang Class I prison fire case. So far, the police have identified three suspects.

"What has been found is (Article) 359 of the Criminal Code, 188 and 187 of the Criminal Code which are still being investigated," said Director of General Crime Investigation of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Tubagus Ade Hidayat, to reporters on Monday, September 20.

In the suspicion that there was an element of intent, said Tubagus, investigators still need evidence. Therefore, investigators have not been able to determine the suspect in this element.

So far, in the investigation process, the police have examined 53 witnesses. Where, the witnesses were divided into three clusters, namely, the Tangerang Class I Lapas, prisoners in block C2, and witnesses who were side by side.

"Meanwhile, articles 187 and/or 188 of the Criminal Code. Other evidence is still needed," said Tubagus.

He emphasized that the investigation team will continue to strive in the near future to reveal everything. Including the element of intent.

"In Articles 187 and 188 of the Criminal Code, investigators in case titles still need evidence. Hopefully this week," said Tubagus.

As previously reported, the police have named three suspects behind the deadly fire at the Class I prison in Tangerang. The suspects are prison employees.

The three suspects had the initials RU, S, and Y. The determination of these suspects was based on the results of a case title with dozens of witnesses and evidence. In that case, they were proven to have violated Article 359 of the Criminal Code regarding negligence causing death.

The Tangerang Class I prison caught fire on Wednesday, September 8, in the early hours of the morning. As a result, 44 inmates died due to the incident.

Dozens of prisoners were not able to save themselves. Because when the fire broke out, the prison cell was locked. Meanwhile, officers did not have time to open the cells of the victims.