Judges' absence postpones trial<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The trial of a printer charged with defaming
\nPresident Soeharto by the South Jakarta District Court was
\npostponed yesterday until next week because only one of the panel
\nof judges was at hand.<\/p>\n
Andi Syahputra, 32, is accused of printing an underground
\nmagazine which ran offending articles defaming President
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor's indictment last week said Andi was caught in
\nOctober ordering the printing of Suara Independen, an unlicensed
\nmagazine published in Australia.<\/p>\n
The indictment said that edition of the magazine published,
\namong other articles, an interview with Sri Bintang Pamungkas, an
\noutspoken government critic, talking about Soeharto's re-
\nelection.<\/p>\n
Andi has been charged under Article 134 of the Penal Code
\nwhich carries a maximum six years imprisonment. And Indonesian
\nlaw states that every magazine published must have a publishing
\nlicense from the government.<\/p>\n
Arrested with him was Jazrul Zen, 60, the owner of the
\nprinting business. His case is now being processed by the police.<\/p>\n
The police in their raid on the printing office also
\nconfiscated 3,000 copies of Suara Independen.<\/p>\n
The court had planned to hear the testimonies of five
\nwitnesses including Jazrul. a police officer, and a print worker,
\nbut postponed the trial until next week because two of the judges
\nwere on Idul Fitri vacation.<\/p>\n
In the last trial, defense lawyers waived the right to respond
\nto the charges. (13)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/judges-absence-postpones-trial-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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