Theys' subversion trial begins<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Papuan Presidium Council chairman Theys Hiyo
\nEluay remained defiant as court proceedings on charges of
\nsubversion against him commenced on Monday in the Jayapura
\nDistrict Court.<\/p>\n
The trial of Theys and four other defendants -- Don A.L.
\nFlassy, Thaha Al Hamid, the Reverend Herman Awom and John Mambor
\n-- in Abepura opened amid tight police security as there had been
\nsuggestions that the proceedings were tantamount to political
\npersecution.<\/p>\n
Theys' trial was the first to commence, followed immediately
\nby that of Don Flassy.<\/p>\n
The proceedings against the other three defendants were
\npostponed for two weeks as John Mambor was still ill in hospital.<\/p>\n
Theys' trial is being presided over by Judge Edward Sinaga.<\/p>\n
When was asked by the court clerk to state his nationality,
\nTheys defiantly replied: \"Nationality Papuan ... belonging to the
\ncountry of Papua.\"<\/p>\n
Theys mostly smiled as he listened to prosecutor Moh. Erwin
\nread out the 18-page indictment.<\/p>\n
The courtroom was packed with the Council's supporters who
\nturned the room into a sea of color with separatist Morning Star
\nflags. Many more people had congregated outside, singing and
\npraying.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that in the indictment, Theys was alleged to
\nhave violated Article 106 of the Criminal Code on sedition, which
\ncarries a maximum sentence of 20-years imprisonment.<\/p>\n
He was also charged with having expressed hatred against the
\nIndonesian government or undermining the government, which
\naccording to Article 154 of the Criminal Code carries a maximum
\nsentence of seven years.<\/p>\n
According to the prosecution, Theys was guilty as he had
\nunilaterally declared the independence of Papua, the local name
\nfor Irian Jaya province, on Nov. 12, 1999 and had hoisted the
\nbanned Morning Star flag on Dec. 1 of that same year.<\/p>\n
He was also alleged to have taken part in two meetings which
\ncemented the demands for independence.<\/p>\n
The trials of both Theys and Flassy were then adjourned until
\nMay 21 to allow the defense to prepare its response.<\/p>\n
After the trial Theys said he intended to fly to Jakarta for a
\nfew days for a medical checkup.<\/p>\n
Theys underwent prostate surgery earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\"But I'll be back in Jayapura in time to give my response to
\nthe charges,\" he insisted as quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, one of the defense lawyers, Anum Siregar, told
\njournalists that the trial was nothing more than a \"political
\ncommodity\" as it was linked to attempts to topple President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid who had taken a liberal approach towards
\nsecessionist movements in the past.<\/p>\n
The five Council leaders were arrested last year following the
\nanniversary of their self-proclaimed declaration of Papuan
\nindependence on Dec. 1.<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya was internationally recognized as an Indonesian
\nprovince following the 1969 United Nations-supervised Act of Free
\nChoice which resulted in a vote in favor of the territory joining
\nIndonesia. (dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/theys-subversion-trial-begins-1447893297",
"image": ""
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