Foreign detainees seek release pending charges<\/p>\n
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Lawyers acting for two Western women detained in Aceh for alleged
\nlinks to separatist rebels, have requested the women be released
\npending a decision as to whether the pair will be charged.<\/p>\n
The government prosecutor's office in Banda Aceh says it is
\nconsidering the request to temporarily free Lesley McCulloch, 42,
\nfrom Scotland and American Joy Lee Sadler, 57.<\/p>\n
The pair were arrested for immigration violations on Sept. 11.
\nThey have claimed of being mistreated in custody, including being
\nbeaten by police officers. A lawyer acting for Saddler, who is
\nsuffering from a serious illness, said his client's condition was
\nworsening.<\/p>\n
\"We are still examining their cases and will have their health
\nconditions examined,\" government prosecutor's office chief T.N.
\nLutfi told The Jakarta Post here on Friday.<\/p>\n
The police have declined to respond to the lawyers' request as
\nthe women are now in the custody of the prosecutor's office.<\/p>\n
McCulloch and Sadler were arrested during a military operation
\nin Keude Rundeng, Kluet Selatan, South Aceh.<\/p>\n
They are accused of violating visa conditions. The charges
\ncarry penalties of up to five years jail and a Rp 25 million
\nfine.<\/p>\n
The police also seized notes on Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\nactivities, two photo discs and a map of security personnel posts
\nin the restive province.<\/p>\n
Syarifah Morlina, one of the pair's lawyers, said his clients
\nwere in need of intensive medical care to ensure they could stand
\ntrial.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the prosecutors will listen to our request and we
\nguarantee our clients will not flee and will be available any
\ntime they are needed for questioning,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lutfi said the prosecutors would ask police to allow the two
\nsuspects to be placed in a police detention house to let them
\nfeel free and comfortable, instead of being jailed.<\/p>\n
Rufriadi, the suspects' second lawyer, said they were still
\nwaiting for Supreme Court approval to move their clients from
\nSouth Aceh to Banda Aceh to hasten the investigation.<\/p>\n
\"We hope our clients will be tried in Banda Aceh since the
\nsituation in South Aceh is not conducive,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-detainees-seek-release-pending-charges-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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