Tangerang Prison Fire, Police Pocket Prospective Suspects

Press conference on the Tangerang prison fire case (Rizky Adytia Pramana/VOI)

JAKARTA - The National Police stated that they have pocketed a potential suspect in the process of investigating the Tangerang Class I prison fire case. This potential suspect is related to the alleged negligence.

"For Article 359 of the Criminal Code, the potential suspect already exists," said Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Rusdi Hartono, to reporters, Tuesday, September 14.

Potential suspect is a party who is strongly suspected of committing in a criminal case. This means that the police have already pocketed potential suspects.

However, said Rusdi, investigators are still working and looking for supporting evidence for the determination of the suspect. Later, when everything is complete, investigators will conduct a case title to determine the suspect.

"Now investigators are still working to resolve this case," said Rusdi.

On the other hand, Rusdi stated, the investigation process has so far examined 25 witnesses. They range from prison officers to firefighters.

Currently, the inspection process is still being carried out. It is noted that seven senior Tangerang Class I prison officials are being questioned.

"There are seven Tangerang Class I prison officials who will be examined, including the Head of Administration, Head of Administration or Head of Administration, then Head of Security and Order Administration, Head of Sub-district Head, Head of Security, Head of Maintenance and Head of KPLP," said Rusdi.

Meanwhile, 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 the cells of the victims.

The police stated that there were allegations of negligence and intentional crime behind this. Currently, the case is in the investigation stage.