Police proceed with Father Sandyawan case<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police have decided to proceed with a case
\ninvolving Catholic priest Ignatius Sandyawan Sumardi who was
\nquestioned last year for sheltering three youth activists wanted
\nby police.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan's lawyer, Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan, said yesterday the
\npolice finished interrogation of the priest in September.<\/p>\n
He said police delivered a summons last week for Sandyawan to
\nattend the submission of his dossier to the Bekasi Prosecutor's
\nOffice on Monday.<\/p>\n
The case relates to three leaders of the unrecognized
\nDemocratic People's Party (PRD) -- Budiman Sudjatmiko, Petrus H.
\nHaryanto, and Yakobus Eko Kurniawan -- who were found guilty of
\nsubversion in April.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan allegedly harbored the PRD leaders at the Bekasi
\nhome of his brother, Benny Sumardi.<\/p>\n
Police arrested the three PRD leaders at the house on Aug. 11
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
Luhut said harboring criminals or people wanted by the police
\ncarried a maximum penalty of nine months jail.<\/p>\n
He said Sandyawan faced a dilemma because as a priest he was
\nobligated to shelter frightened people.<\/p>\n
But article 322 of the Criminal Code states that a person who
\nuncovers other people's secrets, because of his profession or
\nposition, may be sentenced to nine months jail.<\/p>\n
"Uncovering people's secrets is a crime but, on the other
\nhand, it is also a crime to harbor people wanted by the police,"
\nLuhut said.<\/p>\n
He said Sandyawan should have immunity from these charges
\nbecause he was a priest.<\/p>\n
"Besides, those people were seeking his help," he said.<\/p>\n
Luhut said there was a possibility the case would not proceed
\nafter Monday.<\/p>\n
"Usually, however, if a case comes to the prosecutor's office,
\nit goes to court," he said.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan, who accompanied Luhut yesterday, said he was ready
\nto accept any consequences because "I am confident with what I
\nhave done.<\/p>\n
"It was my moral decision to shelter frightened people. I am
\nready to face all the consequences because of my decision," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
All the PRD's leaders were sentenced in April to between 18
\nmonths and 13 years jail.<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta District Court convicted five and the
\nSouth Jakarta District Court convicted six. Nine appealed to the
\nJakarta High Court but their appeals were rejected. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-proceed-with-father-sandyawan-case-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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