Illegal loggers sent to court

Illegal loggers sent to court

MANOKWARI, Papua: Police here have transferred two suspected
thieves accused of stealing dozens of cubic meters of logs to the
district prosecutor's office, so that prosecutors may prepare
charges against them.

Manokwari detective police chief Adj. Comr. John C.E. Nababan
said on Tuesday the two suspects, identified as La Amana and
Philipus, are currently under detention at the local prosecutor's
office.

Under the existing law, the two suspects face a maximum
penalty of 10 years in jail and a Rp 1 billion fine.

The court proceedings for the two suspects will be the first
trial for such thefts in Papua. All previous criminals who were
arrested for similar charges had been released without
explanation.

Local people said they hope that the trial of La Amana and
Philipus would help boost law enforcement against illegal loggers
in the country's easternmost province. -- Antara