Journo murder trial to continue

Journo murder trial to continue

YOGYAKARTA: A court here ruled yesterday to proceed with the
trial of Dwi Sumadji, alias Iwik, who allegedly killed Bernas
journalist Fuad M. Syafruddin last year.

The district court of Bantul, a small town 15 kilometers south
of here, rejected Iwik's rebuttal statement that the police had
coerced him to admit to killing Fuad, alias Udin, before
arresting him.

Presiding judge Mikaela said the court agreed with the
prosecution that Iwik should have filed his complaint over the
police's alleged violation in arrest procedures, in a pretrial
court hearing.

Udin was beaten to death in August last year in Bantul. Many
believed his death was related to several critical articles he
wrote regarding local government policies.

The trial will resume next Tuesday. (23)