Nine PRD activists sentenced for subversion

Nine PRD activists sentenced for subversion

JAKARTA (JP): Nine leaders of the Democratic People's Party
(PRD) were given jail sentences yesterday of between 18 months
and 13 years for subversion.

The nine young men, all in their 20s, were convicted in
absentia in separate trials in Central and South Jakarta district
courts.

PRD chairman Budiman Sudjatmiko received the stiffest term.

"He is guilty of undermining the state ideology and inciting
students and workers to demonstrate against the government,"
judge Sjoffinan Sumantri, who presided over Budiman's trial in
Central Jakarta, said in his verdict.

The court said Budiman had "discredited the New Order
government under President Soeharto" and rejected the
sociopolitical role of the Armed Forces. The PRD also put social
democracy and populism as its ideological principles instead of
Pancasila, according to the verdict.

Four other PRD leaders were also convicted in the Central
Jakarta District Court: Suroso (seven years), Yakobus Eko
Kurniawan (eight years), Ignatius Damianus Pranowo (nine years),
and Garda Sembiring (12 years).

The South Jakarta court sentenced the other four: Ken Budha
Kusumandaru (four years), Victor Da Costa (18 months), Ign. Putut
Arintoko (18 months) and Petrus Hari Hariyanto (six years).

None of the nine men were in the court rooms when the verdicts
were read although they had been taken to the court buildings.
They boycotted the hearings, saying the courts could not pass
impartial judgment.

Last week, they dismissed their lawyers, saying their presence
was pointless under such conditions.

They have accused the courts of failing to follow proper
procedures during the trial. They said instead of hearing
witnesses speak in court, statements purportedly from the
witnesses were read out. They said the judges refused to allow
them to address the court or present their witnesses.

"We have decided not to hear the verdicts. We're ready to face
the worst," Budiman said as he arrived at the court. He later
left shouting "Long live democracy".

Hundreds of supporters packed the court room and crowded
outside. They responded by shouting: "Long live Budiman".

"We refuse to accept this trial since the court has been
unfair to us," Petrus said at his trial in South Jakarta.

The court has become a mere tool for the government, he said.
"None of us did anything wrong, but we're still going to be
sentenced. So what's the point of showing up?" he said.

Budiman could face fresh charges because judge Sjoffinan
ordered the prosecutors to look into his politically-charged
defense statement, and his behavior which bordered on contempt of
court.

After the verdicts were read all the prosecutors said they
would appeal.

All the sentences were less than they had sought.

M. Salim, who prosecuted Budiman's case, told the court the
sentence was "too lenient for the acts committed".

He had demanded 15 years imprisonment.

Budiman told reporters outside the court room that all the
defendants would also appeal.

There was a brief scuffle outside the court room in Central
Jakarta when police tried to disperse dozens of youths who had
turned up to support the defendants. Five demonstrators were
taken away by police officers.

There were fewer supporters in South Jakarta where the
hearings proceeded peacefully.

While the defendants appeared in good spirits, some of their
relatives became hysterical.

"Our sons are not guilty, their struggles are for the poor,"
said Budiman's mother, who was guarded by dozens of security
officers. She chanted "God is Great" over and over before
entering a car.

Garda's and Yakobus' parents also wept, saying they could not
accept the sentences.

Budiman later said he would continue to lead the party from
behind bars.

Yesterday's verdicts took the number of PRD activists
sentenced for subversion to 11. Two others are still being tried
and will be sentenced soon.

The PRD activists were arrested in the wake of the July 27
riot in Jakarta. The prosecutors dropped any reference to the
riot in their indictments and charged the defendants with other
activities. (05/12)