Foreign detainees seek release pending charges
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.