Hamzah calls for release of Agus

Annastashya Emmanuelle The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Vice President Hamzah Haz called on the Philippine government on Saturday to release Agus Dwikarna if his arrest was in connection with a substantiated crime that he committed in Indonesia.

"If his arrest was based on a crime that took place in Indonesia, there is no reason for the Philippine government to detain him there.

"Should that be the reason, just return him to the Indonesian government," the Vice President said after officiating at the 42nd anniversary of the Indonesian Muslim Students' Association (PMII) at the National Monument in Central Jakarta.

Agus' release would allow the Indonesian authorities to investigate his alleged crime, Hamzah added.

Hamzah, however, said Jakarta would not intervene in the legal process in the Philippines as the authorities there wanted to investigate Agus further for his alleged possession of documents on Muslim organizations, which the Philippine government was particularly concerned about.

All charges against Agus' friends, Abdul Jamal Balfas and Tamsil Linrung, have been dropped following a request from President Megawati Soekarnoputri to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The two Indonesian men arrived home on Friday.

Hamzah said in a case where there was enough evidence to prosecute an Indonesian national, the government would have no objections, such as in the case of Fathur Rochman al-Ghozi.

Al-Ghozi was sentenced by a Philippine court to six years imprisonment for immigration violations and 12 years for illegal possession of explosives. He is to soon face another trial for his alleged involvement in a Manila bombing.

"We will not defend what's not right. What we will defend is our citizens in cases where there are no indications that they are guilty of a crime.

"Therefore, we sincerely hope Agus will also be freed if no indications of a crime are found," Hamzah said, adding that the government, through the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines, would continue to closely monitor Agus' case and provide all necessary assistance.

Thus far, there has been no request to extradite Agus from the Indonesian government.

Tamsil, a former deputy treasurer of the National Mandate Party (PAN), businessman Jamal and Agus were arrested at Ninoy Aquino airport in Manila on March 13 for possessing bomb components.

President Arroyo has promised to speed up Agus' trial and check his case file.