Death sentence possible

Six defendants charged with the subversion law because of their involvement in the July 27, 1996 riots were simultaneously tried at the state courts in Central Jakarta and South Jakarta on Dec. 12, 1996.

The six defendants are:

1. Budiman Sudjatmiko (26).

2. Muchtar Pakpahan (43).

3. Bartholomeus Garda Sembiring (27).

4. Yakobus Eko Kurniawan (24).

5. Ignatius Damianus Pranowo (26).

6. Suroso (23).

All these defendants might receive death sentences in accordance with Law No.11/PNPS/1963.

We were shocked by this threat of capital punishment, especially as citizens who adhere to Pancasila philosophy.

We would like some information concerning the religions of each of these defendants, to be used for our research on human rights, democracy and the environment.

We thank you for your assistance.

ILHAMY ELIAS

General Chairman

Indonesian Environmental

Management and

Information Center

(IEMIC) Jakarta

Note: Budiman Sudjatmiko and Suroso are Moslems. The rest are Christians.

-- Editor