Polda Sultra Tahan Anggota DPRD Wakatobi Yang Buron Sejak 2014

Head of Public Relations of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police, Kombes Iis Kristian. (ANTARA/La Ode Muh Deden Saputra)

KENDARI - Polda Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) officially detained a member of the Wakatobi Regency DPRD, Litao, who has been on the People's Wanted List (DPO) for child murder since 2014.

Head of Public Relations of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police, Kombes Iis Kristian, said that after the determination of the suspect, the Dit Reskrimum conducted an examination of Litao on Friday (19/9) night.

Litao was investigated for allegedly being involved in a criminal case of violence against children resulting in the victim's death 11 years ago.

"After the examination, investigators believe there is sufficient evidence that the suspect LT is suspected of having committed a criminal act of violence against children as stipulated in Article 80 paragraph (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning child protection," said Iis Kristian as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, September 20.

After the examination, investigators from the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police immediately detained the Litao suspect for investigation purposes.

"Furthermore, for investigation purposes, the suspect has been detained at the Southeast Sulawesi Police Detention Center," he said.

Previously, the attorney for the family of the murder victim from the Wa Ode Nur Zainab & Partners Legal Office, La Ode Muhammad Sofyan Nurhasan, welcomed the police's move to determine the Wakatobi DPRD member as a suspect in the 2014 murder case.

According to him, the determination of the suspect is a new hope for the families of the victims who have sought justice to punish their children 11 years ago.

"We welcome the determination of the suspect by the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police, even though he has been designated as a DPO since 2014. Regarding accusations of politicization, it is refuted by itself because of the fact that the perpetrator has been named a suspect since 2014," explained Muhammad Sofyan.

After the 2014 murder, Litao fled to avoid the legal process. The protracted investigation made Litao on the Wakatobi Police wanted list (DPO).

However, after that, Litao was able to qualify as a legislative candidate in the 2024 General Election and was elected until he was appointed as a member of the Wakatobi Regency DPRD on October 1, 2024.

In fact, Litao's involvement in the persecution case that led to the death of the victim was clearly stated in the Baubau District Court Decision Number: 55/Pid.B/2015/PN.Bau dated June 29, 2015.

Litao is one of three perpetrators who abused a child named Wiranto until he died. Two other perpetrators have been convicted and have undergone a legal process.