Annas facing six months in jail

JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor demanded on Monday a six-month jail sentence and 10 months probation for a student who drove his car into a group of military personnel in November 1998.

"The defendant has violated Article 360, chapters one and two of Law on Criminal Code," Samadi Budisyam told the Central Jakarta District Court in the trial of Annas Allamudi.

Chapter one of the article carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail for a person who commits a deed that causes grievous injury to others. Chapter two stipulates that the defendant may face a one-year jail sentence if the injured can no longer carry out their routine activities.

Samadi said the 23-year-old defendant drove his red Volkswagen into a cordon of troops assembled on Jl. Imam Bonjol, Central Jakarta, to prevent student protesters from marching toward the People's Consultative Assembly on the afternoon of Nov. 11.

Annas at first drove the vehicle slowly on Jl. Imam Bonjol but then panicked and drove into the phalanx.

Fearing retaliation from the security personnel, Annas sped toward Hotel Indonesia, Jl. Blora and was finally stopped and arrested by security personnel at Plaza Mashill II, Samadi said.

The eight security personnel hurt included three with serious injuries: Second Lt. Paryono, First Cpl. Tugiyono and Second Pvt. Susilo.

The trial was adjourned until next week. (asa)