Foreign detainees seek release pending charges
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
Lawyers acting for two Western women detained in Aceh for alleged links to separatist rebels, have requested the women be released pending a decision as to whether the pair will be charged.
The government prosecutor's office in Banda Aceh says it is considering the request to temporarily free Lesley McCulloch, 42, from Scotland and American Joy Lee Sadler, 57.
The pair were arrested for immigration violations on Sept. 11. They have claimed of being mistreated in custody, including being beaten by police officers. A lawyer acting for Saddler, who is suffering from a serious illness, said his client's condition was worsening.
"We are still examining their cases and will have their health conditions examined," government prosecutor's office chief T.N. Lutfi told The Jakarta Post here on Friday.
The police have declined to respond to the lawyers' request as the women are now in the custody of the prosecutor's office.
McCulloch and Sadler were arrested during a military operation in Keude Rundeng, Kluet Selatan, South Aceh.
They are accused of violating visa conditions. The charges carry penalties of up to five years jail and a Rp 25 million fine.
The police also seized notes on Free Aceh Movement (GAM) activities, two photo discs and a map of security personnel posts in the restive province.
Syarifah Morlina, one of the pair's lawyers, said his clients were in need of intensive medical care to ensure they could stand trial.
"We hope the prosecutors will listen to our request and we guarantee our clients will not flee and will be available any time they are needed for questioning," he said.
Lutfi said the prosecutors would ask police to allow the two suspects to be placed in a police detention house to let them feel free and comfortable, instead of being jailed.
Rufriadi, the suspects' second lawyer, said they were still waiting for Supreme Court approval to move their clients from South Aceh to Banda Aceh to hasten the investigation.
"We hope our clients will be tried in Banda Aceh since the situation in South Aceh is not conducive," he said.