The Motive For The Murder At Palembang Places Of Worship Due To Drug Debt

Release of murder perpetrators in Palembang (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The stabbing and shooting of a resident named Muslim (40) at a place of worship in a prayer room in Ilir II Sub-district, Palembang City on July 22, was motivated by drug debt.

South Sumatra Regional Police Direskrimum Kombes Pol Hisar Siallagan said his party had succeeded in arresting three of the four perpetrators who were involved in the action.

"There are four suspects in total, but we have only secured three, the other is DPO," Hisar said at a press conference reported by Antara, Saturday, July 25.

The three people who were successfully secured were Dani Afradi (36), Mukroni (49), and Retno Herlambang (21), all of whom were residents of Jalan Pangeran Sido Ing Lautan, Gandus District, Palembang City. Meanwhile, one more actor, Arfani (31), is still a DPO.

According to Hisar, the murder started when Arfani (DPO) received information that the victim intercepted his nephew to collect his brother's crystal meth debt with the initials HK worth IDR 30 million.

Arfani then invited Deni, Mukroni, and Retno to find the whereabouts of the victim, Arfani who was carrying sickles with Mukroni and Deni who was carrying a revolver firearm along with Retno. Then, they found the victim resting at Musala Abadan Jalan Sultan Agung at 11.30 WIB.

"When they saw the victim was sitting at the prayer room, they immediately got down and attacked the victim. The victim died because there was a shot to the head," he added.

The police finally arrested the three suspects on Saturday morning at their respective homes thanks to information from the public.

"For the motive, the victim often threatens the suspect's family and the suspect's brother also has drug debt," he explained.

One of the suspects who shot the victim, Deni Afriadi, confessed that he was resentful because the victim had taken his parents hostage by fencing his parents' house.

"I also shot him because he wanted to shoot me. What I did was to defend my parents' dignity," said Deni.

The hostage-taking itself was triggered by a drug debt of Rp100 million belonging to Deni's half brother to the victim. The police finally found information related to the big dealer from the disclosure of the murder case.

"The name of the dealer that the suspect mentioned is familiar, but we will explore it again," said Hisar.

He appealed to Arfani to surrender, while the three suspects were charged under Article 170 of the Criminal Code with a maximum threat of 12 years in prison.