19-year old activist faces prison term

JAKARTA (JP): The prosecutor trying an office helper of the unrecognized Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) is demanding that the defendant be sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment.

In Friday's trial session at the Central Jakarta District Court, prosecutor Meity Joseph said the defendant, Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, 19, was found guilty of assisting AJI activists Eko Maryadi and Ahmad Taufik, who are also on trial.

She charged that Danang had assisted Eko and Ahmad in sowing hatred against the government through the distribution and sale of AJI's unlicensed publication Independen.

Meity said as a member of the younger generation Danang "should not have followed (those) who are trying to disrupt the nation's unity and stability".

However, she added that the defendant is still young, has no criminal record and still hopes to continue his education. This, she said, was proven by his attending the recent state university entrance exams under police supervision.

As an AJI staff member since last October, Meity said Danang also helped Eko Maryadi attend to subscribers of Independen. She said Danang also took part in selling the magazines to guests at a reception organized by AJI at the Wisata International Hotel on March 16, where Danang and the other two AJI defendants were arrested.

Presiding Judge Soehardjo said the next trial session will take place tomorrow when Danang's lawyers are scheduled to read their defense statements. (bas)