Defendants demand new judges

Defendants demand new judges

JAKARTA: Two leaders of the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), charged with treason against the state, refused on Monday to present their defense and instead demanded that the judges be replaced because they were unlawfully jailed.

Robert B. Keytimu, the lawyer for the two leaders, Alex H. Manuputty and Semuel Waileruny, said the judges should have released their clients on Nov. 27, based on Criminal Code procedures.

"The panel of judges, presided over by I Wayan Padang, ordered the police to keep our clients in jail. This decision is against the criminal code, therefore the judges must step down or be replaced," he said.

Meanwhile, judge I Wayan Padang told the lawyers to add the demand to their defense. The trial was adjourned until Dec. 27 to hear the defense.

The prosecutor has demanded a five-year jail sentence for Manuputty and Semuel for establishing an illegal organization and hoisting a separatist flag during the celebration of the 52nd anniversary of the South Maluku Republic on April 25. --JP