Xanana gets three-month sentence reduction<\/p>\n
KARAWANG, West Java (JP): Jailed East Timorese rebel leader
\nJose Alexandre \"Xanana\" Gusmao was one of 16,718 prisoners to
\nreceive a remission on this year's independence day, Minister of
\nJustice Oetojo Oesman said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Talking to reporters after a ceremony at Karawang Prison, West
\nJava, Oetojo said Xanana would receive a three-month reduction of
\nhis 20-year sentence.<\/p>\n
\"The remission was given based on the prisoner's behavior,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Oetojo said Xanana's remission was not influenced by South
\nAfrican President Nelson Mandela who had sent a letter to
\nPresident Soeharto calling for the rebel leader's release.<\/p>\n
Mandela met Xanana on July 15, during his visit here.<\/p>\n
Xanana led separatist guerrillas in East Timor before being
\ncaptured in November 1992.<\/p>\n
He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Dili court on May
\n21, 1993. But three months later his sentence was reduced to 20-
\nyears by President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Xanana is currently serving time at Cipinang Prison in Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
In Dili, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares also
\ndenied that Xanana's remission was to placate Mandela who called
\nfor the rebel leader's release.<\/p>\n
He said the decision was based on his good behavior, just like
\nany other prisoner.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Xanana, 51, would not comment on the possibility of
\nhis release.<\/p>\n
\"I didn't raise that issue so I don't have any comment,
\nespecially since I never demanded to be released,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"I still believe that a solution to the East Timor issue is
\nmore important than my release,\" he added.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Oetojo hinted that if Xanana maintains his good
\nbehavior more remissions may be in store.<\/p>\n
\"Xanana has behaved well while serving his time, I think he
\ncan get his freedom back before the end of his prison term,
\nbecause reductions are awarded every year,\" Oetojo said as quoted
\nby Antara.<\/p>\n
Among the requirements to receive a remission are good
\nmanners, discipline in following prison rules and social
\nresponsibilities such as donating blood.<\/p>\n
Inmates who became leaders in organizing several social
\nactivities in prison could get up to an eight-month reduction of
\ntheir jail term.<\/p>\n
Release<\/p>\n
Oetojo said the government also released yesterday 1,489
\nprisoners, 72 of them convicted for subversion, because the
\nsentence reduction coincided with the time remaining they had to
\nserve.<\/p>\n
Among those who received a remission were Derek Homer and
\nOtniel Maifun, members of the Free Papua Movement convicted in
\n1991. Both are imprisoned at Jayapura prison.<\/p>\n
Oetojo said independence day celebrations should be greeted by
\nprisoners since it was a time when many received reductions of
\ntheir sentences.<\/p>\n
\"It reminds us that we honor individual freedom as we much as
\nwe honor the freedom of countries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the possible release of prisoners held for their
\nactivities with the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI),
\nOetojo said it was still being discussed. (05\/14\/23\/33)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/xanana-gets-three-month-sentence-reduction-1447893297",
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