Aussies await overdue trial

Aussies await overdue trial

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two Australian tourists in Mount Sitoli, Nias Island, are still awaiting their trial despite having been in custody for a year.

J. Sharland, 28, and Sean P. Philips, 29, were arrested Nov. 28, 1994 for allegedly possessing illegal substances. During the initial hearing the two denied the charges and have since been waiting for the continuation of their trial, which has been indefinitely postponed since last June.

The defendants' lawyer, Djafar Siddiq, told The Jakarta Post that Australian Consul General John Hines has also sent a letter through the Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) in Medan asking for the reasons behind the delay.

LBH itself has sent a letter to the Supreme Court protesting the prolonged delay and criticizing the case's board of judges, which is headed by Tahan Gultom.(15/mds)