Bintang, Xanana banned to testify<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jailed politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas and East
\nTimorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao were forbidden to testify
\nyesterday at a youth activist's trial at the South Jakarta
\nDistrict Court.<\/p>\n
Wilson bin Nurtias, a Democratic People's Party (PRD) activist
\ncharged with subversion, told the court that Bintang and Xanana
\nwere ready to appear when the ban came into force.<\/p>\n
\"Bintang and Xanana were ready when suddenly Cipinang prison
\nofficials stopped them, showing them a letter from state
\nprosecutor Dedi Pridasa,\" Wilson said.<\/p>\n
The letter addressed to the court stated that the two
\nwitnesses were irrelevant to the offense that the defendant had
\ncommitted.<\/p>\n
It was the second time that Bintang and Xanana had been
\nforbidden to testify. On Monday, the two were not allowed to
\ntestify at the trial of another PRD activist, I Gusti Anom
\nAstika, on the grounds that there were was no letter of consent
\nfrom the Ministry of Justice.<\/p>\n
Xanana had led the East Timor independence guerrilla movement.
\nHe was captured in November 1992 and is serving a 20-year jail
\nterm for insurrection.<\/p>\n
Bintang is serving a 34-month prison sentence for insulting
\nPresident Soeharto in speeches in Germany. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bintang-xanana-banned-to-testify-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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