Magazine suspect moved

JAKARTA (JP): A man arrested for his alleged involvement in printing an unlicensed publication was moved yesterday to the Cipinang prison in East Jakarta from the South Jakarta Police Precinct.

Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) lawyer Irianto Subiakto said the police's right to detain Andi Syahputra expired yesterday so he was now detained by the South Jakarta Prosecutor's office. Police can only detain a suspect for two months.

Andi was arrested on Oct. 27 with Jasrul, a printing house owner in Cipilur, South Jakarta, for publishing the monthly magazine Suara Independen.

Police confiscated 5,000 copies of the magazine and photographic negatives. Police said the magazine had articles which defamed top Indonesian government officials.

Suara Independen was published by the Indonesian Society of Alternative Media (MIPPA), based in Melbourne, Australia.

Both Andi and Jasrul were detained at the South Jakarta Police Precinct until yesterday. Andi went to Cipinang prison, while the South Jakarta prosecutor's Office placed Jasrul, who is about 60, under city arrest.

Andi's lawyer Irianto Subiakto said he was trying to get Andi placed under city arrest too.

Irianto said they were charged under clauses 134, 154 and 155 of the Criminal Code.

Clause 134 is the deliberate defamation of the President or Vice President; clause 154 concerns the dissemination of hatred against the government, and clause 155 concerns the dissemination of hatred against the government through visual and written media.

Irianto said both men would be tried next month. If found guilty they face a maximum seven years jail. (anr)