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)