The government must clear Robot Gedek’s name if it is proven that he never committed the 12 murders he was convicted of in 1997, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said on Wednesday.

Kontras raised the possibility of a false conviction after stories surfaced that Robot had been friends with alleged child serial killer Bayquni, commonly known as Babe.

“As far as I remember, in Robot Gedek’s case, law expert Satjipto Wirosarjono cast doubt on Robot’s confession, especially because it was only supported by a single witness,” said Kontras coordinator Usman Hamid.

Usman said Robot Gedek also made a dubious suspect because he was mentally impaired, naive and had a weak personality.

Robot died of a heart condition in Central Java's Nusakambangan Prison in 2007.

Usman said he appreciated the work of the Jakarta Police in uncovering Bayquni’s alleged serial killings.

“This achievement could restore the image of the recently tarnished National Police. The Jakarta Police’s achievements should be followed by other provincial police,” Usman said.