Defense plea in Theys trial rejected

Defense plea in Theys trial rejected

SURABAYA, East Java: Military prosecutors rejected on Friday a
defense plea by lawyers of seven Army Special Forces (Kopassus)
members charged with murdering Papuan separatist leader Theys
Hiyo Eluay.

Chief investigator Col. Haryanto said the objections presented
by the defendants' lawyers were part of the legal subjects that
the judges should examine.

"Therefore, let the judges prove whether Theys was murdered by
the suspects or another party," he told a hearing at the East
Java military tribunal.

Haryanto argued that the decrease in number of witnesses to
testify in the murder trial was actually normal because it was
impossible for the prosecutors to bring in all the witnesses.

"We shall use only key witnesses," he said.

The lawyers have said that there were 40 witnesses who would
testify for or against the defendants, but the prosecutors will
only use 21 of them.

The trial was adjourned until Jan. 24. --JP