20 years sought for terror suspect

20 years sought for terror suspect

SEMARANG: Prosecutors demanded on Thursday a 20-year jail term
for each of four defendants standing trial for possession of
explosives with which they had planned to launch terror attacks
across the country.

Prosecutors accused defendants Mahmudi Haryono, Joko
Ardiyanto, Siswanto and Heri Suyatno with possession of 750
kilograms of explosives, thousands of rounds of ammunitions,
firearms and hundreds of detonators. The huge arms cache was
discovered last July at their residence in Kalibanteng, western
Semarang.

The defendants are being charged under Law No. 15/2003 on
terrorism and the Criminal Code, which carry a maximum death
sentence.

"The sentence demand is reasonable, as they took part in a
crime that has caused widespread fear," prosecutor Gatot Gunarto
told the court.

Speaking after the hearing, defense lawyer Yasri Yudha Yahya
said the prosecution's demand lacked substantial evidence and was
emotional.

"When presented with the evidence, the defendants stated
clearly that they did not recognize them. A number of witnesses
have also corroborated their statements," he said.

The trial has been adjourned to April 22. -- JP

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Scene-Alvin-extortion
Bogus journalist cheats legislator
JP/4/SCENE

Bogus journalist cheats legislator

SEMARANG: House of Representatives legislator Alvin Lie from
the National Mandate Party (PAN) ducked an attempt at fraud by a
bogus journalist when he appeared on Thursday at a local court to
be tried for early campaigning.

Alvin told reporters the extortion attempt took place just as
he was leaving the courtroom.

"I spotted this young man who did not interview me, but he
approached my wife and asked her for my name card. He said he
wanted to interview me, but after a lengthy talk, the
conversation went nowhere and I assumed that he just wanted
money," Alvin told Antara.

When Alvin asked the bogus reporter for his identification, he
presented a press card and personal ID with a name, Widada.

"But when I checked for the media Posisie Demokrasi Indonesia,
I found out it was fake and that his ID card had expired. I
chased him into the parking lot but he hopped on his motorbike
and fled," he said.

He had phoned the number on the press card, only to discover
that the line was disconnected. -- Antara