Court to hand down Pranowo verdict

JAKARTA: An ad hoc human rights court is set to deliver on Aug. 10 a verdict in the case of former Jakarta Military chief Maj. Gen. (ret) Pranowo, who has been charged with involvement in the 1984 Tanjung Priok shooting.

Judge Andriani Nurdin said on Tuesday the court had completed hearing Pranowo's case but needed more time to discuss the verdict.

Prosecutor Roesmanadi asked for a five-year prison term for Pranowo, who allegedly tortured 169 Muslims arrested by the military following a riot in Tanjung Priok in September 1984. At least 33 people died in the riot.

Pranowo is one of 14 defendants on trial in connection with the violence. Former North Jakarta Military chief Maj. Gen. (ret) Rudolf Butar-butar was the first to be convicted and sentenced over the incident. He received a 10-year prison sentence but remains free pending an appeal. --JP