Legal aid office burned

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A group of unidentified people set fire to the building of the local chapter of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (LBH) early yesterday, activists have claimed.

Medan LBH spokesman Mahjoedanil said the fire broke out following a loud explosion at around 2.30 a.m. yesterday.

The fire occurred only about 10 hours after the police forcibly dispersed a gathering called to form a local branch of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee that the government is fiercely opposed to.

The fire did not cause injury but caused extensive damage to the building and destroyed computers, furniture and documents, Antara reported.

Mahjoedanil said the fire, which started in the basement of the ancient two-story building, caused the LBH losses of several hundred million rupiahs.

"The police should investigate the incident," he said. "The burning of the LBH premises is an immoral act. Any differences people have with the LBH should be settled in a civilized manner."

In operation since 1978, the LBH currently has 30 lawyers. (pan)