Lombok, NTB. Two police officers have been detained in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) over the death of Brigadier Muhammad Nurhadi, a member of the NTB Police’s Internal Affairs division, in a case that has drawn public attention and demands for transparency.

Nurhadi was found dead in a swimming pool at a lodge in Gili Trawangan, North Lombok, on April 16. Investigators now suspect that Nurhadi was killed after allegedly flirting with a female colleague linked to one of his superiors.

The NTB Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate officially named three suspects in the case, including two of Nurhadi’s superiors, Commissioner Yogi and First Inspector Haris, who have been dishonorably discharged. A third suspect, a woman identified as M from Jambi, was also named in the investigation.

The two officers were detained on Monday and will remain in custody for at least 21 days as the investigation continues.

“This detention follows due legal process based on our investigation and is not a response to public or social media pressure,” said Catur Erwin Setiawan, head of NTB Police’s Criminal Investigation Sub-Unit, during a press briefing on Monday.

The detained officers have been placed in separate cells under strict security measures to ensure their safety and rights during detention, said Rifa’i, director of detention and evidence at NTB Police.

An autopsy revealed that Nurhadi’s hyoid bone was fractured, consistent with strangulation. The victim’s family has expressed frustration over the perceived slow progress of the investigation.

Hambali, Nurhadi’s elder brother, has demanded that all suspects be held accountable. “We have heard that my brother died from strangulation. We want justice. The perpetrators must be caught and punished severely,” Hambali said on Monday.

Nurhadi’s family described him as a quiet, dedicated officer who rarely spoke of problems at work, although they noticed he had been spending less time at home in the days leading up to his death.

“Usually he would come home often, but lately he was rarely home. If he did come home, it was only for a short while before leaving again,” Hambali recalled.

While the victim’s wife has reportedly accepted Nurhadi’s passing, the family continues to demand a fair and transparent legal process. “We want the perpetrators to receive the heaviest punishment, even the death penalty if possible. This is the family’s wish,” Hambali said.

The case has drawn comparisons to the high-profile murder of Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat, also known as Brigadier J, by his superior, former Inspector General Ferdy Sambo, in July 2022. Sambo was sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the killing, a case that exposed deep issues within Indonesia’s police force, including abuse of power and internal cover-ups.

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