Police asked for proof of Manuputty wrongdoing

Police asked for proof of Manuputty wrongdoing

Moch. N. Kurniawan and P.C. Naommy, Jakarta

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said on Tuesday his
office was still awaiting evidence from the police on crimes
allegedly committed by Maluku separatist Alexander Manuputty.

"We need to send evidence of crimes committed by Alex to the
U.S. If we could obtain this, it would be possible to have
Manuputty deported to Indonesia," Minister Hassan said in a
hearing with House of Representatives Commission I for foreign
policy.

Manuputty, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment last
year for heading the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), which has
been associated with the South Maluku Republic (RMS) rebel group,
fled to the U.S. in 2003.

Demands for his deportation have mounted following bloody
clashes between members and sympathizers of the FKM and Ambonese
residents opposed to the rebel movement on April 25, which killed
at least 38 people.

According to Hassan, it was very unlikely that the U.S. would
deport Manuputty because of his political activities.

Meanwhile, a team of three lawyers defending 12 FKM members
charged with treason protested on Tuesday the arrest of their
clients.

The three lawyers -- Peter Pascalis, Sahara D. Pangaribuan and
Robert B. Keytimu -- made their complaint during a visit to the
National Police Headquarters on Tuesday to submit power of
attorney letters stating that they would represent the 12
suspects during questioning and trial.

The 12 suspects are Moses Tuanakotta, Manuputty's wife Olly
and daughter Christin, alleged FKM members Domingus Patiha,
Ongeng Kusmani, Ramon Tuapaninaya, Haris Abner Sahertian, Johan
Taehuhu, Johan Markus, Michael Latusinai, Frans Sineasa and
Yacobus Pesiwarisa.

The suspects were transferred to Jakarta from Ambon for
security reasons and arrived at the National Police Headquarters
in early May. The lawyers said that police had not questioned the
suspects yet.

"Our clients should not have been charged with committing
treason just because they displayed RMS flags during the
commemoration," said Pascalis, the lawyer of Moses Tuanakotta,
the secretary-general of the FKM.

Pascalis also criticized the police for failing to arrest and
detain snipers who continued to sow fear in Ambon, the site of
prolonged religious violence that has killed more than five
thousand.

Aside from Manuputty's case, Minister Hassan also said on
Tuesday that the Stockholm Prosecutor's Office would examine
founder and leader of the Aceh Free Movement (GAM), Hasan Tiro,
over his alleged involvement on the separatist movement.

"The questioning may take place in late May at Hasan Tiro's
house due to his physical illness," he said.

Indonesia is urging the Swedish government to take firm action
against GAM leaders, including Hasan, in a bid to quell the
secessionist movement, which has been fighting for independence
for the resource-rich province of Aceh since 1976.