A Series Of Efforts To Investigate The Alleged Criminal Behind The Deadly Fire Of Tangerang Prison

Tangerang prison fire (Photo: Instagram @yasonna.laoly)

JAKARTA - The deadly fire incident at the Class I prison in Tangerang still leaves a question mark. The cause of the fire has not yet been revealed.

Although, the initial assumption was that the cause was due to an electrical short, but over time, other allegations emerged. Police suspect there is an element of criminal activity in the incident.

The Head of Public Relations of the Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus said that based on the results of the preliminary investigation, there were at least two allegations, namely elements of negligence and intentional.

"This is what we are doing in depth, Articles 187 and 188 of the Criminal Code and Article 359 of the Criminal Code regarding negligence. Is there an element of intent or not? Or is there an element of negligence in 359 of the Criminal Code," said Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Metro Police Kombes Yusri Yunus to reporters, Thursday, 9. September.

The alleged element of negligence can be interpreted as an unintentional act that caused a fire. Thus, causing a fire.

Meanwhile, for intentional purposes, it can be said that there are actions or actions that are intended to create a fire.

However, Yusri emphasized that the emergence of this allegation did not make people assume. Because, all of that is still a possibility. Moreover, the process of investigation and examination of evidence from both members of the detectives and the Puslabfor is still ongoing.

"Our team is working, we will convey the results of the investigators and the Forensic Laboratory," said Yusri.

22 Witnesses Examined

In the progress of the investigation process, a joint team from the Regional Police and the National Police Headquarters has examined 22 witnesses. Those who are considered to know the beginning of the fire.

"The General Criminal Investigation (Krimum) is backed up by the Headquarters and is currently being investigated. 22 witnesses have been examined," said Yusri.

Dozens of witnesses and even then divided into three clusters. Starting from guard officers, inmates, and companions for inmates.

The division of the witness cluster is so that the common thread from the beginning of the incident until the fire grows can be obtained. Thus, the allegations that develop can be proven or refuted.

"The first cluster of officers on duty at that time, the second cluster of inmates who survived, there were 73 people who survived and some were being examined," said Yusri.

"Clusters of residents accompanying the assisted residents who accompany the existing blocks. The direction is to find out information from all of them," he continued.

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. While the officers did not have time to open it.