Four months sought for soldier

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Prosecutors in the trial of an Army soldier being court martialled for allegedly assaulting non-governmental organization activist Farid Faqih demanded on Monday a four-month sentence for the defendant.

Prosecutor Maj. Yonavia said testimony from witnesses had provided incriminating evidence of a deliberate attack committed by the defendant, Capt. T. Syuib Mahmud.

The incident took place late in January when the defendant found humanitarian aid sent by the Army Health Agency for tsunami survivors in Aceh being transported in a truck belonging to the Islam Defenders Front at Farid's request.

Another six soldiers are being court martialled for taking part in the assault on Farid, who chairs the Government Watch corruption watchdog, during a military interrogation session.

Farid will stand trial in Aceh Besar District Court for alleged theft. -- JP