Likely Suspect in Munir Death

Munir was a strong critic of the military and was found dead on a Garuda flight from Jakarta to Amsterdam on Sept. 7, 2004. An investigation by Dutch authorities found a large amount of arsenicin his body, indicating that he had been poisoned to death. Indra Setiawan, the former president of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, was reported as becoming the likely suspect in the high-profile murder case of noted rights activist Munir nearly three years ago.

National Police Chief Sutanto has named two new suspects by initials IS and R, the latter matches to corporate security vice president Ramelgia Anwar, local newspapers reported. But there were debates over whether the police chief had spelled IS or YS, which refer to stewardess Yetti Susmiati.

The three Garuda officials in question have been summoned as witnesses in the questioning of Pollycarpus Budihari, the only person ever charged with the murder.

Pollycarpus has been acquitted of all charges by a Supreme Court verdict that overturned lower courts’ decision that found him guilty. With no one held accountable for the murder, the police was under pressures to find new suspects.

Indra was shocked after learning that he could face the murder charge, his attorney told leading news website Detikcom on Wednesday. Pollycarpus was an off-duty Garuda pilot who was aboard the same plane and reportedly offered his business seat to Munir.