Court races against time in riot trials

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court will speed up the trials of 124 July 27 riot suspects, hoping to complete their trials before the suspects detention period ends.

Judges said the court will hold two hearings a week in each of the 10 trials, instead of the usual one hearing.

The 124 suspects, charged with assault, are being tried in 10 separate groups. The trials will be held in two parts, each involving five groups. If found guilty, they face a maximum seven year jail term.

Judge Asmar Ismail, who presides over one of the trials, said on Thursday that under the Criminal Code Procedures, a court can hold a suspect under detention for three months.

Beyond this, the suspects must be released, even if their trials are not over.

The 124 defendants were arrested during the bloody unrest in Central Jakarta on July 27 and were given to the Central Jakarta District Court's custody when their trial began early this month.

All are believed to be supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

The riots broke out after the violent take over of the PDI headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro by supporters of Soerjadi, the officially recognized PDI chairman, from Megawati's supporters.

Defendants' lawyers have urged the court to put the defendants under city arrest so they can resume work and earn a living.

The demand was rejected, but Judge Asmar offered to speed up the trials.

Considering the prosecutors have lined up 11 witnesses in each case, Asmar said all the trials should be completed in five more hearings.

The defendants' lawyers, while welcoming the offer to speed up the trials, warned that time should not restrict the court's quest for justice.

R.O. Tambunan, who leads the defense team of 65 lawyers, said the defense intends to call about 50 witnesses in each hearing.

"We will bring in as many witnesses as is needed in our pursuit of justice," Tambunan told reporters.

The trials are part of the myriad of legal battles taking place pitting Megawati and her supporters against the government, the military and her foes in the PDI. (16)