Activists resume training after arrest

Activists resume training after arrest

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Activists of the independent Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) resumed training on Sunday, two days after being arrested on charges of organizing an unauthorized meeting.

Police on Friday dispersed the meeting, which started last Wednesday and was scheduled to last through to this Friday, when one of the union officials, Rekson Silaban, was to give a presentation about the birth of the International Labor Organization.

The activists were brought to the Medan police headquarters for questioning. The activists, including Amosi Telaumbanua, were among those who had been arrested or jailed for involvement in a racially-charged labor riot in Medan last year.

They were released on Saturday and resumed the training on Sunday in Sibolangit, 45 kilometers south of Medan. SBSI chairman Muchtar Pakpahan was scheduled to address the gathering; he was to speak on, among others, "the tactics of the SBSI struggle".

Police in Medan were not available for confirmation. (15)