Expert witness in Java artefacts-theft case is found dead

An expert witness in a scandal involving the suspected theft of ancient Hindu and Buddhist statues from a central Javan museum was found dead at the weekend, police have revealed.

Lambang Babar Purnomo, 57, was an expert with the Central Java Archaeological Preservation Board and had been summoned five times since December to advise police investigating the case.

Lambang was found dead near his motorcycle in Sleman, central Java, early on Saturday.

'There are various wounds to his body which indicate the victim was not involved in an ordinary accident,' the head of Sleman's traffic police, Adjutant Commissioner Sulistyo, was quoted as saying by a local newspaper, Koran Tempo.

However, the news agency Antara quoted Mr Sulistyo as saying Lambang could have been the victim of a hit-and-run incident. Police have set up a special team, including forensic experts from regional headquarters, to examine Lambang's body.

Lambang's brother-in-law, Ibnu Subiyanto, said Lambang had received several death threats via telephone and that his family had been concerned about his involvement in the case.