Jail sentences demanded for PDI demonstrators<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A state prosecutor requested the Court yesterday
\nto jail five supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted
\nChairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party, for crashing into
\na police barricade during an anti-government demonstration in
\nJune.<\/p>\n
The rally was held to protest the officially-backed PDI
\ncongress in Medan, in which Soerjadi ousted Megawati as the party
\nleader.<\/p>\n
According to Prosecutor Darwis Lubay, the defendants did not
\nonly defy police orders to disperse, but also broke through
\npolice ranks when the officers tried to block the way, going from
\nthe Party headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro, to the National
\nMonument.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators planned to hold a mass prayer for Megawati,
\nbut security officers stopped them near the Gambir Railway
\nStation, trying to disperse them.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor sought one year's imprisonment for Herman
\nSusilo, 22, for pushing through police ranks with a motorcycle,
\nand stoning police. Edy Suwito bin Suyitno, 22, was arrested for
\nhurling stones at the officers.<\/p>\n
The court was also asked to sentence Rajim, 46, and Sutrisno,
\n30, to nine months in jail for breaking the police barricade with
\nmotorcycles, and Fauzan Nanang Prasetyo, 17, to seven months
\nimprisonment for the same offense as Herman, stoning police and
\npenetrating a police barricade with a motorcycle.<\/p>\n
The session was adjourned until next week, giving lawyers time
\nto prepare defense statements. Defendant Sutrisno, facing a
\npossible nine months imprisonment, said he would read his own
\nstatement, however his reasons were not made clear.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a related court session heard the cases of 12
\nMegawati supporters, of a total number of 124 arrested, tried in
\nconnection with the July 27 riot, with defense lawyer, R.O.
\nTambunan, calling the trial a farce.<\/p>\n
Tambunan, the chief of the team of lawyers naming themselves
\nDefenders of Indonesian Democracy, told the court his clients
\nwere not being tried because they have committed crimes, but for
\npolitical reasons.<\/p>\n
\"They are tried because they are supporters of Megawati, whose
\npolitical career the government has tried to ruin.\" he said.<\/p>\n
The incident erupted when Soerjadi's supporters seized the PDI
\nheadquarters from Megawati's incumbents. The takeover sparked
\nbloody riot, in which five people were killed.<\/p>\n
The ousted chairwoman was present at the court hearing
\nyesterday, apparently in a gesture to give personal support to
\nher followers.<\/p>\n
Megawati, dressed in red and black, the party colors, was
\naccompanied by members of her executive board, and sister-in-law
\nLevana Taufan Soekarnoputra.<\/p>\n
Tambunan said the current trials are only a deception of
\ngovernment policy.<\/p>\n
He reminded the panel of judges police officers did not try to
\nstop Soerjadi's supporters from attacking the headquarters. \"They
\neven gave way to the assault which had been long prepared,\" he
\nmaintained.<\/p>\n
At the end of the defense statement, Tambunan expressed the
\nhope the judges would exercise their conscience.<\/p>\n
\"It's not because we, the defense lawyers, are skilled in the
\nlegal profession, but the arrogance of corrupt political power
\nwill show, because it smothers human endeavors for freedom,\" the
\nlawyer said, trying to hold back tears.<\/p>\n
Veterinarian, Sukartono Widjojo Putro, one of the defendants,
\ntold the court the defendants were actually the victims of attack
\nby Soerjadi's supporters.<\/p>\n
\"Why should we bear other's crime?\" he asked, pointing out
\nmost of the 124 defendants were injured, some seriously with
\nconcussion and broken legs.<\/p>\n
He said police should bring the attackers, who caused the
\ninjury, to the court.<\/p>\n
\"They are the real people who were rampaging and causing the
\nriot,\" he stated. (05\/07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jail-sentences-demanded-for-pdi-demonstrators-1447893297",
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