HIV/AIDS campaign held for inmates

HIV/AIDS campaign held for inmates

BOGOR: The recent finding that 20 inmates of Paledang
Penitentiary in Bogor are HIV-positive prompted AIDS activists to
hold an HIV/AIDS campaign on Thursday for the 1,000-plus inmates.

The campaign was held by three organizations, Stop AIDS Action
(ASA), the Indonesian Humanitarian Committee and the Spiritia
Foundation.

Anton Dwi, who is serving a 17-year sentence, said he and
other inmates found the campaign to be useful, as they learned
much about HIV/AIDS, including how the virus is spread.

He said that the inmates had been restless and suspicious of
each other after they found out that some inmates had been
diagnosed as HIV-positive. They had also been afraid that they
could easily contract the virus from physical contact, especially
because many of them suffered from skin diseases and had to sleep
together in a stuffy cell.

Hertin Setyowati from Spiritia Foundation said that the
campaign was also aimed at supporting inmates with HIV. -- JP

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ANPAa..r..
Focus-drug-trial-Nigerians
Drug trial starts for two Nigerians
JP/8/drug

Drug trial starts for two Nigerians

TANGERANG: A local district court began on Thursday the trial of
two Nigerian men charged with possessing six kilograms of heroin
in Tangerang, Banten province, for which they face a possible
death penalty.

Prosecutors Puji Raharjo and R. Vidiato said the defendants,
Michael Titus Igweh, 23, and Hillary K. Chimezia, 24, were found
to be organizing drug trafficking.

The case involved an Indonesian woman, Marlena, and a
Zimbabwean, Kholisani Nkomo alias Ichku Eberu Okolwaja.

Igweh and Chimezia were arrested in August last year following
a tipoff from residents who had frequently seen drug transactions
taking place at Marlena's house in the Vila Melati Mas housing
complex in Serpong, Tangerang.

However, Marlena had died of a lung ailment while Okolwaja had
died due to an AIDS-related illness at the Kramat Djati Police
Hospital, East Jakarta, amid the investigation into the case.

Both Igweh and Chimezia were charged with violating Article 82
of Law No. 22/1997 on narcotics, which carries a maximum penalty
of death.

Presiding judge Permadi adjourned the trial until next
Thursday to hear the defense plea from the defendants' lawyers.
--JP

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ANPAa..r..
Focus-workers-donate-blood
Workers donate blood for Acehnese
JP/8/drug

Workers donate blood for Acehnese

TANGERANG: Employees of state-owned companies (BUMN) in
Tangerang, Banten province, donated blood for the Acehnese people
during a two-day event that began on Thursday.

It was held at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport by the
Federation of BUMN Workers' Associations (FSP-BUMN) to coincide
with the organization's 4th anniversary. The event was
facilitated by PT Angkasa Pura II and the airport management.

More than 500 BUMN employees donated blood on Thursday, and
more are expected to follow suit on Friday.

During an opening address, PT Angkasa Pura president director
Edi Haryoto said that the event was a manifestation of the
employees concern for the Acehnese people currently suffering the
brunt of a military operation in the province.

He urged blood donors to continue to give assistance and to
pray for the Acehnese in order that the war would end soon. --JP