AG office backs bail demands
AG office backs bail demands
JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Attorney General for General Crimes I
Made Gelgel has maintained that provincial prosecutors have the
right to set bail at any amount they see fit and apply the laws
at their own discretion.
Gelgel told parents of three detained labor activists Monday
that the Jakarta Provincial Prosecutor's office had the right to
demand Rp 10 million (US$1,250) in bail for their sons'
conditional release.
On payment of the money the activists would be kept under
house arrest.
Gelgel said that the sum was legitimate and in accordance with
Article 31 of the Criminal Code which, he pointed out, did not
specify the amount at which bail should be set for particular
offenses.
The article stipulates that based on a suspect's request, the
police, the prosecutor's office or a judge can decide detention
with or without bail.
It also says that a suspect may be put under house arrest
provided a personal guarantee or bail is given.
Police arrested Wandy Nicodemus, Kuldiv Singh and Widi Wahyu
Widodo last month for staging a rally on Jl. Thamrin in Central
Jakarta to protest skyrocketing prices of basic essentials and
demand increased wages for workers.
Another activist, Farahdiba Agust, was released recently by
the City Police and granted house arrest status under the
guarantee of her parents.
"I do not see any violation of the law," Gelgel told the
parents and activists who came to the Attorney General's Office
in South Jakarta.
"It is the subjective right of the police, prosecutor or judge
to decide the amount at which bail is set... I think the
prosecutors have considered that the amount of bail demanded is
proper," Gelgel added without elaborating.
The Center of Information and Action Network for Reform
(Pijar), a pro-democracy group, said in a statement that the Rp
10 million bail demand was an indication of the corruption
prevailing in the justice system.
But Gelgel denied the allegations, saying that the money would
be kept by the appointed district court. "If the suspects flee,
the money will be deposited in the government treasury," added
Gelgel. (byg)