Court to proceed with student activists' trial<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court decided on
\nTuesday to continue the trial of two student activists for
\nallegedly provoking the public to demonstrate against the
\ngovernment during a rally staged over three months ago.<\/p>\n
Presiding judge Abdul Majid Rahmi rejected objections from
\ndefendants Mixilmina Munir, 25, and Aris Wardoyo, 22, as well as
\ntheir lawyers, during a hearing attended by over 200 supporters
\nof the defendants.<\/p>\n
Abdul said that there was no indication that the police had
\nforced Mixilmina, a leader of City Forum (Forkot) and student of
\nthe State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN), to sign
\nstatements.<\/p>\n
\"As a university student, the defendant should know that
\nsigning a statement means he admits that the statement was made
\nwithout any force, because it is stated there,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The court also rejected argument from the lawyers that the
\npolice had abused the defendants.<\/p>\n
The defendants' supporters became rowdy and yelled out when
\nAbdul said that the court would proceed with the trial, while
\nMixilmina and Aris stood on a chair and conducted a speech,
\nsaying there was no justice for people in this so-called
\ndemocratic country.<\/p>\n
The defendants are charged with violating Article 160 of the
\nCriminal Code relating to provoking members of the public against
\nthe government. The article carries a maximum sentence of six
\nyears in jail.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Lukimanto accused the defendants of provoking the
\npublic during a rally outside the Lebak Bulus bus station in
\nSouth Jakarta on June 16 protesting fuel price increases.<\/p>\n
Abdul said that the trial would be held two days a week, on
\nTuesdays and Thursdays, to accelerate the legal process as both
\ndefendants had been in jail since June 17.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of the trial, the defendants' supporters held
\nbanners stating \"release our friends\", and sang outside the court
\nafter police officers and court security guards initially banned
\nthem from entering the building.<\/p>\n
The police later let them into the courtroom while maintaining
\na high level of security for the judges and clerks. Last week,
\nthe trial turned chaotic when police clashed with lawyers and
\nstudents.(04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/court-to-proceed-with-student-activists-trial-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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