Police Investigate Extortion Acts Following Pekanbaru Jailbreak
10 May 2017 20:26 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police obtained a number of evidence regarding the illegal activities practiced at Sialang Bungkuk Class IIB detention center following the mass jailbreak in Pekanbaru. The investigation does not only focused on suspected corruptions and extortion, but also toward the possibility of money laundering acts. The illegal activities have allegedly triggered the inmates to escape.
“We’re investigating a suspected money laundering activity in the detention center,” said Riau Police Chief Insp. Gen. Zulkarnain on Tuesday, May 9.
Read: Ministry to Investigate Illegal Levies in Pekanbaru Prison
According to Zulkarnain, the extortion activity in the detention center can be charged with money laundering criminal act considering that it has occurred for years and is a systemic problem.
The illegal acts range from extortion toward inmates' family members who want to visit and to inmates who want to use the telephone.
In addition, inmates will be charged with a Rp1-7 million tariff if they want to move from an overcrowded block.
Read: Minister: 448 Escaped in Pekanbaru Jailbreak, 179 Still at Large
Sialang Bungkuk detention center is in an overcapacity state. The 361 capacity detention center is currently inhabited by 1,870 inmates.
The act of extortion done by the prison wardens is suspected to have triggered the 448 inmates to escape on Friday afternoon, May 5. They escaped by tearing down a three-meter high door. As many as 153 prisoners are still at large.
Read: Jailbreak at Pekanbaru; 200 Inmates Escape
Zulkarnain ensured that the investigation will not stop at lower level prison officials. “Their permanent suspension doesn’t stop our efforts in investigating it,” he said.
The warden of Sialang Bungkuk together with two other officials were sacked from their position on Monday. Six other prison officials were also downgraded for allegedly participating in the extortion.
YOHANES PASKALIS | RIYAN NOFITRA | ANTARA
https://nasional.tempo.co/read/news/2017/05/10/078873986/buntut-napi-pekanbaru-kabur-begini-pungli-yang-terendus