Academic assault could lead to jail

Theresia Sufa Bogor

Prosecutors asked the Cibinong District Court on Wednesday to sentence two brothers, both researchers at the University of Indonesia, to a year in prison for assaulting a lecturer and students at the university.

Prosecutor Kosasih told the court that the defendants -- Herryansah Iberamsjah, 29, a social and political studies researcher, and Nirwansyah Iberamsjah, 23, a researcher in law and technology -- had violated Article 351 of the Criminal Code on assault. The two are accused of assaulting Reny Chandriachsja Suwarso, 38, a lecturer in the Department of Social and Political Studies, as well as two students.

The article carries a maximum punishment of 32 months in prison.

The incident began when students and lecturers at the University of Indonesia came out in opposition to the appointment of the defendant' father, Iberamsjah, as the head of the Department of Social and Political Studies on Sept. 23, 2003. The opponents said the appointment was in violation of university regulations.

According to witnesses, demonstrating students approached Reny and asked whether they could attend the installment ceremony for Iberamsjah.

The witnesses said that when Reny went to speak to several security guards about whether the students could enter the hall where the ceremony was taking place, he bumped into Herryansah who in turn punched him. At the same time, Nirwansyah is alleged to have attacked two students, Rheinhard Sirait and Yudi Fajar M. Wahyu.

Presiding judge Djoko Suseno adjourned the trial until next week, at which time the court will hear the defendants' plea.