Outlaw newsmen to be tried soon

Outlaw newsmen to be tried soon

JAKARTA (JP): Three members of the unrecognized Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) will soon stand trial on charges of producing, distributing and selling an illegal publication.

The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office announced yesterday it will submit their dossiers to the Central Jakarta district court by next week.

"We are working on the final details of the dossiers," M. Adenan Kasian, assistant for general crimes of the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office told reporters.

The three suspects, Ahmad Taufik, Eko Maryadi, and Danang, were caught at the three-star Wisata International Hotel in Central Jakarta on March 16 after attending an halal bihalal (Moslem gathering after Idul Fitri) that AJI hosted. Two others were also arrested at the time but have since been released.

The three AJI members were charged with producing, distributing and selling copies of Independen newsletters, which were critical of the government.

Adenan said his office has assigned Limbong T.S. to be the prosecuting attorney for the case.

Meanwhile Denny Christyanto, a lawyer of the Jakarta chapter of the Legal Aid Institute representing the journalists, said yesterday that he has submitted a proposal to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office asking that the three defendants, currently in police custody, be put under house arrest.

It is the second proposal filed by the team of lawyers. The first one, sent to the City Police on March 28, was rejected.

Denny was received by Limbong, who promised him that the proposal would be discussed with the head of Jakarta Prosecutor's Office. (imn)