DPD supporter acquitted of charges

YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta District Court acquitted Muhammad Muchlas Abror, a member of Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, of all charges on Monday.

Presiding judge Soenaryo told a packed court room that Abror had indeed briefed local residents in a mosque in Karangkajen here on March 24, to support the candidacy of Muhammad Ali Warsito, as a Regional Representative Council (DPD) member representing Yogyakarta.

But it was not an election violation, because Abror merely told people of a decree issued by Muhammadiyah's executive board asking its members to vote for Warsito.

In a previous trial session, the prosecution recommended a four-month prison sentence for Abror. -- JP