Man on trial for 'shoeing' a judge

JAKARTA (JP): A 30-year-old jobless man stood trial yesterday for throwing a shoe at a judge during the controversial trial of politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas in May.

Prosecutor Suhaimi told the Central Jakarta District Court that the accused, Ignatius Pujianto, pelted the judge in an expression of anger over the verdict meted out to Bintang, which he considered too hefty.

Suhaimi said Ignatius breached Article 335 of the criminal code. He could serve one year in prison and/or be fined up to Rp 4,500 (US$2) if found guilty.

The prosecutor said the defendant stood up and threw a shoe at Judge Syoffinan Soemantri, who had just finished reading the verdict, which sentenced Bintang to 34 months in jail.

"The defendant shouted: 'The court is engineered! The judge is unfair!' at the May 8 sentencing of Bintang," Suhaimi said. "The shoe fell on the table in front of Judge Syoffinan,"

The session was adjourned until next Wednesday, when the defendant will present his argument. (16)