Scapegoat ploy no help in sex case: Prosecutor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The prosecutor in a sexual harassment case has
\ntold judges at the South Jakarta District Court to disregard the
\ndefense's claim that the defendant, a rector, was no more than a
\nscapegoat in a bid to take over his educational institution.<\/p>\n
\"The statement that the trial is being orchestrated by certain
\nparties in order to appropriate the institute is a baseless
\naccusation,\" prosecutor Uri Hasan Basri said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
He said the argument of Ali Moechtar Hoeta Soehoet's lawyer,
\nMaruli Simorangkir, was not supported by fact.<\/p>\n
Hoeta Soehoet is rector of the Institute of Social and Mass
\nCommunication.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Harun M. Hussen, the lead prosecutor demanded a one-
\nyear jail term for the rector for making indecent advances
\ntowards Dyah Bintarini, a member of the rector's staff. He is
\naccused of accosting her eight times in his office and other
\nplaces, including the institute's library. The sexual harassment
\nallegedly occurred during the period of March 1987 to July 1991.<\/p>\n
The rector is also accused of similar behavior towards Hanny
\nAnkie Peggy, the institute's chief librarian, who was reportedly
\nvictimized sexually 15 times in her rented room and in various
\nrooms at the institute, from May 1984 to June 1991.<\/p>\n
During Saturday's court session led by presiding Judge Doris
\nA.A. Taulo, Uri also criticized Maruli's statement which
\ncondemned the six witnesses presented by the prosecutors as
\nhaving low moral standards, and vengeful, ungrateful attitudes.<\/p>\n
\"That conclusion was merely obtained from estimations,
\nguessing and prediction, ignoring the facts revealed during the
\ncourt examination sessions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Maruli earlier said that Hanny is a lesbian with marital
\nproblems who put forth sexual harassment charges out of hope of
\nfinancial benefit. He also said that she sexually molested her
\nown adopted daughter, Chandrit Pratiwi.<\/p>\n
\"This innuendo is only based on Chandrit's testimony. Hanny
\nhas strongly denied the allegation,\" Uri said, adding that there
\nare not enough reasons to disbelieve Hanny's testimony.<\/p>\n
Under control<\/p>\n
The prosecutor also questioned the integrity of the five
\nwitnesses presented by the defense lawyer because they are
\ninstitute lecturers still working under the defendant's control.<\/p>\n
\"The defendant's position faces them with a heavy
\npsychological burden because their statements will affect their
\ncareers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The witnesses are Halomoan Harahap, Marzuki Hasibuan,
\nNazarudin Siregar, Ali Usman and Parlindungan Buha Hutagalung.<\/p>\n
In his closing remarks, Uri asked the presiding judge to
\nreject all elements in the defense statement.<\/p>\n
He said that the prosecutors are maintaining their stance that
\nthe defendant should be sentenced to one year imprisonment and
\npay a fine of Rp 5,000 (US$2.30) for violating Article 294
\nsection 2, Article 64 section 1 and Article 65 of the Criminal
\nCode Procedures about sex offenses in the workplace.<\/p>\n
The presiding judge adjourned the court session until August
\n6, to hear the defense lawyer's statement.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by his children and some of his employees, Hoeta
\nSoehoet looked very composed during Saturday's session. As usual
\nhe refused to comment to the reporters. (03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/scapegoat-ploy-no-help-in-sex-case-prosecutor-1447893297",
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