Admiral Yudo Demands Death Penalty for Three Soldiers Who Kidnapped A Civilian in Tangerang

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Commander-in-chief of the Indonesia National Army of Indonesia (TNI), Admiral Yudo Margono, has demanded the death penalty for three soldiers who kidnapped a man in Aceh and tortured him to death. The victim called the family before his demise and asked for Rp50 million ($3,269). 

The kidnappers were pretending to be police officers. One of the culprits is a presidential guard. 

Their victim  Imam Masykur (25) originally was from Aceh Province who worked in South Tangerang City, near the capital Jakarta. He had only been in the Jakarta area for 1,5 years, he previously worked at a cosmetics shop in Tangerang.

Imam was kidnapped last weekend. The video of his torture was spreading on social media.

The head spokesperson of the military, Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono, made it clear that Admiral Yudo expects the ultimate punishment for the three culprits. 

"The Commander-in-chief of TNI is paying attention to this case so that the culprits are receiving the maximum punishment of death penalty. Minimum, life sentence. Because this is a heavy crime of premeditated murder," said Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono.

Julius said all three culprits will be fired and all of them are currently in jail.

Imam was previously also kidnapped, and his kidnappers were demanding Rp15 million payout. 

Said Sulaiman, a family representative, explained that the first kidnapping happened when Imam just came to the Jakarta area 1,5 years ago. The family did transfer the money.

"So not even two months, [he] was kidnapped," Said revealed.

It is unknown if the two cases are linked, although Said observed there were similarities in two cases. 

"At that time it was paid around Rp15 million. From what I saw, the motive was similar. That man was beaten in the car, and then came the ransom request," said he.

The difference was, according to Said, the first kidnappers did not pretend to work as policemen. According to the eyewitness, the kidnappers in the second case were wearing police attributes, and they showcase strong bodies.