Widows vent anger against defendants<\/p>\n
PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): Dozens of women, mostly widows
\nwhose husbands died in last year's communal clashes in Poso, were
\ninvolved in minor scuffles with security personnel at the Palu
\nDistrict Court on Wednesday as they tried to vent their anger
\nagainst defendants on trial for their involvement in the
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
The women came to the court to watch the trial of Heri M.
\nalias Papa Yus, 58, and Ferinandus, 30. Wednesday's session heard
\ntestimonies from four witnesses.<\/p>\n
Presiding judge Mustari frequently had to remind the women not
\nto yell out as it was interrupting the proceedings.<\/p>\n
However, as soon as the judge closed the trial the women
\nhysterically ran toward the tightly guarded defendants who were
\nbeing returned to the cells behind the court room.<\/p>\n
The minor clash broke out as the guards prevented the women
\nfrom venting their anger against the defendants.<\/p>\n
Security personnel escorted the defendants from the court room
\nthrough an emergency exit.<\/p>\n
During the trial all the witnesses, Untung Jaelani, 46,
\nSumarni, 26, Hajriah, 19, and Untung Jumadi, 29, told the court
\nthat they knew the defendants and that the two were involved in
\nthe clashes in their village of Tambaro in May last year.<\/p>\n
Sumarni told the hearing that during the unrest the two
\ndefendants told the villagers to gather together and later herded
\nthem to the neighboring village of Watuawu.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Satimin has demanded 17 years imprisonment for the
\ndefendants.<\/p>\n
Judge adjourned the trial until next Thursday to hear more
\nwitnesses.<\/p>\n
Last week, the same court sentenced to death the three
\nplotters of the communal clashes, which pitted Muslims against
\nChristians.<\/p>\n
It was the first time a court has handed down a death sentence
\nto the masterminds of riots.<\/p>\n
Up to 200 people were killed during the clashes, which
\nfollowed conflict between Muslims and Christians in Maluku.
\n(24\/emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/widows-vent-anger-against-defendants-1447893297",
"image": ""
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