Envoy's attacker may get jail term

JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor urged the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence a homeless man to two years and five months in jail for extorting money from Palestinian Authority Ambassador Ribhi Awad.

Prosecutor Suradi said the defendant, 24-year-old Hariyanto, had served time in jail since 1990 but he did not provide any details on the crimes committed.

Hariyanto, of Indramayu district in West Java, allegedly extorted money from the Palestinian envoy on July 29 this year.

He admitted threatening Ribhi with a knife and asking for money after throwing nails on the street to puncture the tires of the envoy's car about 9:30 p.m., the prosecutor said.

Ribhi was forced to stop his car near the Philippines Embassy on Jl. Imam Bonjol, in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Knowing the car's tire was flat, Hariyanto offered to help the stranded man, Suradi told presided judge Imam Purnomo.

Ribhi gave Hariyanto Rp 20,000 (US$6.15) for changing the tire but the defendant was apparently dissatisfied with the amount and demanded more, he said.

When Ribhi refused, Hariyanto tried to grab the car keys, the court was told.

Ribhi had told police investigators that the suspect threatened him with a knife.

In an attempt to defend himself, the ambassador shot the defendant in his left foot and the man fled, the prosecutor said.

The defendant escaped on a public bus but was later arrested at Pelni Hospital in Petamburan, West Jakarta, where he sought medical treatment for his injury, he said.

Presiding judge Imam adjourned the trial until next week to hear Hariyanto's lawyers' response. (jun)