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)