Govt seeks lawyers for Agus

Govt seeks lawyers for Agus

JAKARTA: The government has sanctioned a fund-raising program
to collect the funds needed to hire lawyers for Agus Dwikarna, an
Indonesian convicted by a Philippine court in Manila for illegal
possession of explosives and immigration law offenses.

Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Saturday the move was
agreed at a meeting between him and members of the House of
Representatives and South Sulawesi provincial legislative council
on Friday.

"We will also try to take diplomatic steps without disrupting
the legal process," Hassan said.

The minister stressed that Indonesia could not meddle in the
Philippine court's decision to sentence Agus to 10 years and one
day in jail.

"We must respect the Philippine court's verdict, while at the
same time giving Agus maximum protection because he has decided
to appeal. Even the latest report from the Philippines makes it
possible for him to have his case reviewed at the first level by
hearing testimonies from new witnesses," he said. -- Antara