Police detain Manuputty

Police detain Manuputty

JAKARTA: Police detained convicted leader of the Maluku
Sovereignty Front (FKM) Alexander Manuputty upon his arrival on
Monday from Ambon, his lawyer said.

Lawyer Paskalis Pieter said that the Jakarta High Court issued
an arrest warrant for his 55-year-old client as the court was due
to hear his appeal.

"He is being detained at National Police headquarters," said
Paskalis.

Manuputty was sentenced to three years in jail by the North
Jakarta District Court in January for plotting a rebellion in the
Maluku Islands. He did not attend his trial and remained free in
his homeland.

He was arrested in Ambon on April 17 last year after inciting
his supporters to raise separatist flags, which were banned by
the central government.

The group wanted Jakarta to allow a referendum on self-
determination akin to the 1999 UN-organized ballot in East Timor.
-- JP