Activists ready to continue their trials without lawyers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Student activists facing subversion charges for
\nallegedly undermining the government relinquished their lawyers
\nyesterday and called the trials "a sham".<\/p>\n
Chairman of the unrecognized Democratic People's Party (PRD)
\nBudiman Sudjatmiko and eight fellow activists said they would
\ncontinue the trials without legal counsel.<\/p>\n
"I'll take this alone now," Budiman said in the packed
\ncourtroom of the Central Jakarta District Court, hugging one of
\nhis lawyers grouped in the Team of Lawyers to Defend Indonesian
\nJustice.<\/p>\n
"We can no longer trust the court to perform a fair trial
\nhere, and we don't want our lawyers to be a part of this
\npolitical farce," said Budiman.<\/p>\n
The prosecution had sought a sentence of 15 years for 27-year-
\nold Budiman, and sentences ranging from eight to 13 years for his
\ncolleagues being tried separately at the Central Jakarta District
\nCourt and the South Jakarta District Court.<\/p>\n
Budiman read the group's statement called "The Political
\nAccountability Speech of the PRD". It delineated its stance on
\nsocial political issues which the prosecution had used as the
\nbasis for its subversion charges.<\/p>\n
Judge Sjoffinan Sumantri had to repeatedly bang his gavel to
\nbring order to the crowded courtroom.<\/p>\n
Similar scenes were repeated at the trial of activists Yakobus
\nEko Kurniawan, Suroso, Ign. Damianus Pranowo and Garda Sembiring
\nwho also read the group's statement.<\/p>\n
The speech attacked the country's five laws on politics, which
\nthe activists described as "a conspiracy to strip the people of
\ntheir power".<\/p>\n
Budiman also called for a boycott of the May 29 general
\nelection. He said a fair and free election could not be expected
\nunder the current political system where the government acts as
\n"the conceptor, the executor and the winner of the election".<\/p>\n
Clad in a white shirt and wearing a red headband inscribed
\nwith the slogan "PRD Boycott the Election", Budiman told the
\ncourt: "That was not our defense statement. We're not begging for
\nleniency. We don't care if you sentence us to death."<\/p>\n
Applause<\/p>\n
The courtroom erupted in applause as supporters shouted
\n"Boycott the election, boycott the election". They were stopped
\nonly after Sjoffinan threatened to call in security personnel to
\narrest them.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Moh. Salim said Budiman's speech had no legal basis
\nand the prosecution maintained the sentence it had demanded.<\/p>\n
The sessions were adjourned until April 28 when the judges
\nwill hand down the verdicts.<\/p>\n
The subversion trial of labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan for
\nallegedly making antigovernment statements continues to be
\ndelayed because of his poor health.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan yesterday underwent the first of 12 physiotherapy
\nsessions to treat his paralyzed right hand. His wife, Rosintan,
\nsaid Pakpahan's appendix surgery on April 3 had not cured his
\nabdominal complaint, and he needed further treatment.<\/p>\n
"His condition is getting worse," she said from the Cikini
\nhospital where Pakpahan is being treated.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan was admitted to hospital on March 7. Doctors believed
\nhe was suffering from a "light stroke".<\/p>\n
Doctors later said he had lung cancer, but a biopsy did not
\nreveal this. After further examination, doctors revealed he had
\ntuberculosis.<\/p>\n
Rosintan said Pakpahan was unable to take the TB medication.
\n"After he drank the medicine he vomited, and his body trembled,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
When Pakpahan last appeared in court, on March 3, he yelled at
\nthe presiding judge and accused him of ignoring his poor health.<\/p>\n
The judge claimed Pakpahan was trying to attract press
\nattention by bringing his health problems to court. (aan\/05)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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