Lampung PDIP chief released

BANDAR LAMPUNG: Under pressure from supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the prosecutors office released the Lampung party chief from prison on Friday night.

The province's prosecutors office spokesman, Zaidar Barlen, said last Saturday that they released the party chief after the province's legislative body, represented by Mahhani Manan, of the United Development Party and Nurhasanah of PDIP, intervened and gave a guarantee.

He said that such a guarantee was also given by Lampung PDI Perjuangan, a number of non-governmental organizations and mass organizations.

The party chief's supporters held a series of demonstrations on Friday at the prosecutors' office and in front of the house of the office' chief.

Prosecutor' chief I Putu Kusa said that despite being released from prison, Anshori's case would continue. "Next Monday (March 25) his case will be brought to court," he said.

According to him, the release was not because of public pressure. "We're not under pressure. We're not afraid of pressure from PDI Perjuangan supporters. If Anshori is guilty he will be taken to court," he said.

Sahzan Safri, Anshori's lawyer said that the party chief should actually not have been detained as his case was only minor.

Anshori was detained after being reported to the police by Subagyo, a construction worker, who said that Anshori tortured him. --JP