Police keeps Aditjondro case

Police keeps Aditjondro case

YOGYAKARTA: Police said they will continue questioning George
Junus Aditjondro, a lecturer of the Christian University of
Satyawacana in Salatiga, Central Java, on defamation charges.

"We will continue to process the case until we submit the file
to the prosecution office," the Yogyakarta police chief, Lt. Col.
Zairin Bustami, said yesterday.

His statement was made in response to the request from
George's lawyers that police should decide whether they would
continue questioning their client or dismiss the case.

An American-educated political scientist, George is known as
an outspoken government critic. Police alleged he made a harsh
statement against the authorities in a seminar in August.

If found guilty by court, George will be sentenced to 18 month
imprisonment.

Zairin said his office will not dismiss the case because "it
is so special."

George had said earlier that he made the statement because the
seminar was held in an academic circle aiming at encouraging
critical thinking. (har/tis)