Verry Idham Henyansyah Affair

He is not Dutroux, neither Robert Pickton, and not even proved to be the killer, yet. But Verry Idham Henyansyah a.k.a. Ryan does the papers headlines nationwide. While the police investigation is ongoing, the ball is keep rolling. It was reported today, that he is also strongly suspected as the killer of the twelfth.

Ryan is the main suspect in the mutilation case of Heri Santoso (40) whose body parts (consisting of seven parts) were found in a suitcase, a backpack and a plastic bag in two locations in Jalan Kebagusan Raya, Pasar Minggu, East Jakarta, on July 12, 2008. He is also the main suspect in the murders of nine others whose bodies were found buried in the backyard of his father`s house in Maijo hamlet, Jatiwates village, Jombang district East Java.

Ryan who is 30-year-old Koran recital teacher, grabs public attention soon after he was arrested on Jul 15 - four days after the police found the cut up body parts of Heri Santoso. The Jakarta Post reported that Henyansyah confessed to stabbing and dismembering the 40-year-old man in the former’s rented apartment after the victim insisted on being introduced to the suspect’s boyfriend, Noval Andreas, 28.

According to Antara, National Police spokesman Abubakar Nataprawira said Verry Idham Henyansyah, the main suspect in a serial killing and mutilation case, may face the death penalty. The suspect would be prosecuted on charges of breaching article 340 of the Criminal Code which was punishable by 20 years in jail, life or death. "I think, the element of premeditation exists in the case. It is impossible for him to kill ten people if he had not planned it," the police spokesman said. Nataprawira said besides article 340, Ryan had also breached article 339 of the Criminal Code on murder accompanied by other crimes. This article carried a punishment of up to 15 years in jail.

Media reports, the suspect suffers not only from rage fits but has kept the belongings of the victims such as motorbikes, laptops, mobile phones and jewelry which have been retrieved from his house and his close relatives. Meanwhile, pro and counter opinions offered by a slew of experts such as psychiatrists, psychologist, criminologists and other academicians have been quoted by the mainstream media eager to devote substantial space and air time to the case. It shifted their focus on the psychopathic aspects of Ryan’s personality and homosexuality's nature.

Furthermore, openly LGBT organisations, such as Arus Pelangi, Gaya Nusantara and many others, have come under intense scrutiny by the media; in the end of July and early August no day passed without a phone call from a TV station or newspaper requesting for an interview or invitation for a (live) talkshow. Arus Pelangi has had to assign several spokespersons to fill the demand. It had the difficult task to counter all these unsavory pronouncements coming from experts, religious leaders and law enforcers. It is also reported that the police raided gay hang out places with the official reason was to look for people who knew Henyansyah. More details, here.