Ailing Theys to be flown to Jakarta for treatment

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Ailing Theys Hiyo Eluay, leader of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) will be flown to Jakarta for treatment on Sunday for irregular heart beat, sources at the Prosecutors' Office said here on Saturday.

The 63-year-old Theys, who is being treated at the Dok 2 General Hospital in Jayapura, will be taken in an ambulance from the hospital to the Sentani airport under tight security, the sources said.

His lawyer Latifa Anum Siregar confirmed the report, saying a an aircraft belonging to Merpati Nusantara Airlines was scheduled to fly Theys to Jakarta at 8 a.m. on Sunday. "He will be treated at the Cikini Hospital in Jakarta."

Latifa said Dr. Marklus Siganaliling, and a cardiologist, Dr. Tommy Wuysang, would accompany Theys to Jakarta.

Reporters were barred from entering or taking pictures of Theys in the intensive care unit at the Jayapura hospital.

Dr. Tommy said They's condition was improving.

Theys, along with Thaha Al Hamid, Rev. Herman Awom, Don Flassy and Jhon Mambor, have been detained since late last year for their "struggle to seek independence from the Republic of Indonesia".

Theys and Thaha Al Hamid, PDP secretary-general, were arrested in November for allegedly encouraging people to rally for Papuan's independence.

Rev. Herman Awom, Don Flassy and Jhon Mambor, all PDP members, were arrested in December. The five were accused of violating Article 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a minimum sentence of five years in jail.

Since Dec. 29, the suspects have been in custody of Irian Jaya's provincial Prosecutors' Office.

The death of Bismar Mannu, head of the provincial Prosecutors' Office in the recent Navy plane crash in Silimo, has delayed the trial of the PDP members which was scheduled to begin two weeks ago.

"The new date for the trial has yet to be set. We, the lawyers, want the trial to begin soon so that our clients will have some legal certainties," said Latifa.

Another lawyer for the suspects is Anton Reharoson.

The lawyers had earlier asked that their clients be put under city arrest.

PDP is one of the separatists groups in the easternmost province of Irian Jaya seeking independence from the Republic of Indonesia. Another separatist group in Irian Jaya is the Free Papua Organization. (35/sur)