Hercules, 'Matra' to settle out of court

Hercules, 'Matra' to settle out of court

JAKARTA: The lawyers of plaintiff Hercules and Matra magazine
agreed on Thursday to seek an out-of-court settlement over a
defamation lawsuit.

The South Jakarta District Court appointed judge Asnah Waty as
mediator.

Presiding judge Effendy adjourned the trial until the
disputing parties reached a decision.

Hercules, leader of a well-known gang who made their name in
Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, filed a lawsuit against the
magazine, which ran a special report on the area.

In a side article, the magazine outlined Hercules' story,
which, according to the plaintiff, was inaccurate and defamed
him. Hercules demanded that Matra pay him Rp 2 billion
(US$217,391) in punitive damages. -- JP