Govt frees 50 political prisoners

JAKARTA (JP): The government released 50 political prisoners yesterday and pledged to restore the good name of the late Hartono Rekso Dharsono, a soldier and diplomat jailed for subversion by former president Soeharto's regime.

Minister of Justice Muladi announced the decision after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at the Bina Graha presidential office.

He did not give details on when the actual release would occur, but said he and Attorney General Muhammad Ghalib would personally notify heads of the penitentiaries concerned.

"There will be more political prisoners released in the future as part of the drive for greater democracy pledged by President B.J. Habibie," Muladi promised.

Members of Petisi 50, a group of government critics, were among the first to call on Habibie's administration to restore Dharsono's name.

After retiring from public life, Dharsono became one of Soeharto's staunchest critics.

He was jailed in 1985 for undermining the government, and inciting and causing unrest by his involvement in the drafting of a white paper on the Tanjung Priok riot of Sept. 12, 1984.

He was freed for good behavior in 1990 after serving five years of his jail term. Dharsono died of cancer in June 1996.

Relatives of those killed at Tanjung Priok, including preacher Amir Biki, have pressured the government to reopen its investigation.

Notable among those missing from the list of yesterday's releases were East Timorese rebel leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao and prodemocracy activist Budiman Sudjatmiko.

Regarding Budiman, the leader of the banned Democratic People's Party (PRD), Muladi said he personally wished to see the youth released. "But the government has so many things to consider ... but there's hope yet," he said.

Several political prisoners involved in separatist movements in East Timor, Aceh and Irian Jaya were also excluded, and Muladi said they did not meet the criteria for release.

The government has said people convicted of criminal offenses, involvement with the banned Indonesian Communist Party or for attempting to distort the state ideology Pancasila will not be released.

As of yesterday, the Habibie government has pardoned 73 of about 200 political prisoners throughout the country. Habibie assumed the presidency in May after the fall of Soeharto.

Released yesterday were people charged for either subversion, defamation of Soeharto or involvement in the Tasikmalaya, West Java, riots in 1996.

Among the releases were four of Budiman's fellow PRD activists: Ken Budha Kusumandharu, Wilson B. Mutias, Mohammad Sholeh and Coen Husein Pontoh.

Ken and Wilson were incarcerated along with Budiman in Cipinang prison in East Jakarta. Mohamad and Coen were in Kalisosok prison in Surabaya, East Java.

Thirty-six of the released prisoners, which included five members of the Armed Forces, were involved in a group which called itself the Tenth Division or the Revolutionary Escort Command. They were arrested for holding illegal military training in Malang, East Java, last year. Three of the group are women.

Also acquitted on all charges of defamation against Soeharto were former legislator Aberson Marle Sihaloho and Rachmad "Buyung" Buchori.

Asep Ilyas and Abdul Muis, both convicted for their involvement in the Tasikmalaya unrest, were also released.

Asep was sentenced to one year and 10 months while Abdul to two years imprisonment in last December. Agustiana Suryana, who was sentenced to eight years for her involvement in the riot, was not included for release.

Also cleared of all charges yesterday were Achmad Taufik and Eko Maryadi from the Alliance of Independent Journalists, who have been on probation since July 2. They were jailed in 1995 and released last year. (byg/prb)