Aberson appeals defamation verdict<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legislator Aberson Marle Sihaloho, who was
\nconvicted by a court in July for defaming President Soeharto, has
\nformally lodged an appeal with the Jakarta High Court.<\/p>\n
His lawyer, Robert Keytimu, told The Jakarta Post yesterday
\nthat the appeal was submitted through the Central Jakarta
\nDistrict Court, which gave the guilty verdict.<\/p>\n
Aberson, a representative of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(PDI), was sentenced to nine months imprisonment for insulting
\nthe head of state in a speech during a political rally at the PDI
\nheadquarters in Central Jakarta last year.<\/p>\n
The rally called "the free speech forum" was organized by
\nsupporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri to oppose a government-
\nbacked PDI congress. The congress removed Megawati and replaced
\nher with Soerjadi as party chairman.<\/p>\n
Aberson, who has remained loyal to Megawati, became the first
\nHouse member to be convicted by a court while serving his five-
\nyear term.<\/p>\n
A lawyer for jailed politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas said
\nMonday that a team of lawyers from the Indonesian Bar Association
\nhad prepared a petition for a judicial review of his case.<\/p>\n
The petition would be presented to the Supreme Court, Bambang
\nWidjojanto said.<\/p>\n
Like Aberson, Bintang was convicted for defaming Soeharto.<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta District Court found him guilty in May
\n1996 for insulting the head of state during a series of lectures
\nin Germany in 1995. The Jakarta High Court upheld the sentence in
\nJanuary as did the Supreme Court in April.<\/p>\n
Bintang is now serving his two years and 10 months jail term
\nin Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The judicial review is the last channel available for Bintang
\nto obtain a legal reprieve. A presidential pardon is also
\npossible, but that would require him to admit his guilt,
\nsomething he has never done.<\/p>\n
Bintang has also been charged with subversion in connection
\nwith his activities in the Indonesian Democratic Union Party,
\nwhich he chairs.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office is still preparing the dossier
\nfor the latter trial. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aberson-appeals-defamation-verdict-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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