Priest barred from traveling overseas<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Immigration officials yesterday barred Jesuit
\nCatholic priest Ignatius Sandyawan Sumardi, previously cleared of
\ncharges of harboring leftist activists wanted by police, from
\ntraveling to Perth, Australia for eye surgery.<\/p>\n
The priest's legal counsel, Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan, said
\nFather Sandyawan was scheduled to undergo surgery today.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan, better known as Romo (father) Sandy, was told at
\nthe Soekarno-Hatta airport by an immigration official named
\nFirman that he could not leave.<\/p>\n
The travel ban was slapped on Sandyawan on the order of Armed
\nForces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Luhut said.<\/p>\n
The lawyer said that 38-year-old Sandyawan had never received
\na written notice of the ban, as stipulated by the immigration
\nlaws.<\/p>\n
\"I need clarification from the Armed Forces chief about the
\ntravel ban imposed on my client, who needs eye surgery because of
\nan injury sustained during a motorcycle accident,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan was previously accused of harboring activists of the
\nunrecognized Democratic People's Party, wanted by the police last
\nyear for allegedly masterminding the July 27 riots.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan leads an organization which actively helps street
\nchildren, workers and poor people caught in land disputes. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/priest-barred-from-traveling-overseas-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}