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Suharto Accused of Plotting Judge's Murder


Indonesian police have accused fugitive Tommy Suharto of plotting the assassination of a judge in his corruption trial, as well as series of bombings. Suharto the son of Indonesia's former president was sentenced to 18 months in prison last November but has been on the run from authorities ever since.

Jakarta police chief Sofjan Jacoeb says Tommy Suharto has three days to surrender to authorities - or else police plan to take "tough action" against him. General Jacoeb issued the warning after police late Monday raided a house in a posh Jakarta suburb linked to Suharto. Authorities found automatic rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition, dynamite and several grenades.

General Jacoeb says police also found a fake identification card, with a photo of Suharto with a beard and slightly longer hair than he used to have. The card listed Suharto's name as Ibrahim. Police say that evidence is enough to link Suharto with a spate of recent bombings across Indonesia - including last month's church blasts.

Tommy Suharto has been on the run from authorities since November, when a judge sentenced him to 18 months in prison for corruption. Two weeks ago, the judge who ruled in the Suharto case, Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, was gunned down while on his way to work. Police say they believe Suharto is involved. They have also arrested two other suspects in the killing. Authorities gave no reason for the renewed efforts to find Suharto. Western diplomats have said they believe police have the ability to track down the flamboyant son of the former president but that their failure to find him suggests Suharto is being protected by corrupt officials within the security forces. Tommy Suharto is the youngest of former president Suharto's six children all of whom are suspected of using their father's power and influence to amass personal fortunes during his three decades in office. But every member of the Suharto family including the former leader has denied all charges of wrongdoing.

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