Four people tried in abortion case

JAKARTA (JP): Four people were indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday for assisting in the running of two clinics offering illegal abortions.

Prosecutor Shinta Susanti said the defendants -- Sri Sumiyati, 34, Suprih alias Kampret, 40, Syamsudin, 29, and Tarinah, 52 -- allegedly worked for the Amalia and Herlina clinics in Tanah Tinggi between 1989 and last November.

"The defendants had helped the owners of the abortion clinics," Shinta said.

She said Sri Sumiyati was a clerk at the Amalia clinic, while Suprih, Syamsudin and Tarinah were employees at the Herlina clinic.

The employees assisted the owners of the clinics, identified as Kurniasih alias Cicih and Herlina, admit patients and dump aborted fetuses, she said.

Shinta charged the defendants under Article 80 (1) of the Law 23 on Health which carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in jail.

In addition to the owners of the clinics, an obstetrician, identified as Budiman, is also being tried at the same court. Another obstetrician, Jaya Lelana, who is a military doctor, is detained at the military police headquarters on the same charges.

Presiding judge Endang Sumarsih adjourned the trial to next Tuesday to hear the defense lawyers' statements. (jun)