Police's Sweet Promise, Announces Tangerang Prison Fire Suspect

Tangerang Class I Prison (Photo: ERA.id documentation)

JAKARTA - The investigation into the Tangerang Class I prison fire is almost in its final stages. Because, the police promised to announce the suspect's figure early next week.

Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Tubagus Ade Hidayat said the determination of the suspect would go through a case title mechanism. Of course, supported by evidence and testimony of witnesses and experts.

"The next case may be held at the beginning of next week, it could be Monday or Tuesday. We can hold a case to determine the suspect," said Tubagus to reporters, Friday, September 17.

In the case title later, said Tubagus, investigators will highlight two criminal elements. The first is about the cause of the fire and the second is about the loss of life.

"So there are two events that are the object of investigation by investigators. The first is Article 187, 188 leads to the beginning of the fire, why is 187 used, 188 will later determine the element of intent and so on," said Tubagus.

"Then (Article) 359 the material consequence is that it results in the death of a person. That is the direction of the investigation," he continued

Dozens of Witnesses Examined

In the series of investigations, continued Tubagus, dozens of witnesses have been examined. Starting from prison officers to Tangerang Class I prison officials.

"So up to today, there are 34 witnesses who have been examined," he said.

In addition, the Head of Public Relations of the Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus said that on September 17, investigators would at least re-examine seven witnesses. They are prison officers to kitchen staff.

"(Check) the picket officers and picket members. There are also several commanders or members of the main entrance in the existing P2U. Then there are also kitchen officers," said Yusri.

Of the seven witnesses who were scheduled to undergo examination, one of them did not show up. Based on information from investigators, the witness is a special correctional officer (polsuspas).

"One that we made a call today but it was postponed because the person concerned was sick," said Yusri.

Then, the investigators returned to the crime scene (TKP) together with the Puslabfor. This is done to complement the evidence that has been found.

44 Convicts Killed

Dozens of inmates became victims behind the deadly fire. A total of 41 prisoners died.

"There are 41 people who died," said Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran to reporters, Wednesday, September 8.

Not only the victims died, this fire also caused dozens of inmates to be injured. Ranging from minor to severe burns.

"Then there were 8 (severe) injuries, 72 people with minor injuries," said Fadil.

A day later, the death toll from the fire also increased. Three inmates were pronounced dead.

Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Section of the Directorate General of Corrections, Rika Apriyanti, said that the three inmates were undergoing treatment. However, his condition continued to decline until he finally died.

"Initial information was that there were two but one additional, so there were three inmates who died," said Rika Apriyanti.

Based on the data, the three inmates are narcotics convicts. They were previously among the victims who had suffered serious injuries. They died after undergoing intensive care.

"The three of them are narcotics convicts," said Rika.

With this additional death toll, a total of 44 inmates died as a result of the deadly fire.