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)