Court to proceed with student activists' trial
Court to proceed with student activists' trial
JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court decided on
Tuesday to continue the trial of two student activists for
allegedly provoking the public to demonstrate against the
government during a rally staged over three months ago.
Presiding judge Abdul Majid Rahmi rejected objections from
defendants Mixilmina Munir, 25, and Aris Wardoyo, 22, as well as
their lawyers, during a hearing attended by over 200 supporters
of the defendants.
Abdul said that there was no indication that the police had
forced Mixilmina, a leader of City Forum (Forkot) and student of
the State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN), to sign
statements.
"As a university student, the defendant should know that
signing a statement means he admits that the statement was made
without any force, because it is stated there," he said.
The court also rejected argument from the lawyers that the
police had abused the defendants.
The defendants' supporters became rowdy and yelled out when
Abdul said that the court would proceed with the trial, while
Mixilmina and Aris stood on a chair and conducted a speech,
saying there was no justice for people in this so-called
democratic country.
The defendants are charged with violating Article 160 of the
Criminal Code relating to provoking members of the public against
the government. The article carries a maximum sentence of six
years in jail.
Prosecutor Lukimanto accused the defendants of provoking the
public during a rally outside the Lebak Bulus bus station in
South Jakarta on June 16 protesting fuel price increases.
Abdul said that the trial would be held two days a week, on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, to accelerate the legal process as both
defendants had been in jail since June 17.
At the beginning of the trial, the defendants' supporters held
banners stating "release our friends", and sang outside the court
after police officers and court security guards initially banned
them from entering the building.
The police later let them into the courtroom while maintaining
a high level of security for the judges and clerks. Last week,
the trial turned chaotic when police clashed with lawyers and
students.(04)