Controversial trial in Aceh delayed

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The trial of a massacre in West Aceh will not take place till the second week of March as Banda Aceh district court officials said on Monday they would need at least a week to sort out the paper work and study the case further.

"It's impossible for us to stage the trial this week as we have not received the documents and we will need time to study them," Banda Aceh court deputy chief Tabyuni said.

Twenty civilian and military suspects are to stand trial for alleged murder of Islamic boarding school teacher Tengku Bantaqiah, his first wife and dozens of students in Beutong, some 100 kilometers south of Lhokseumawe on July 23.

Community leaders here have expressed fear of possible riots during the trial.

"We're afraid the session will spark violence as probably many people, including the military, will be unsatisfied with the results," said M. Amin Said, mayoralty council speaker in Banda Aceh.

They called on extra security when the proceedings begin, to maintain the fragile peace in the provincial capital.(50/51/edt)