Police on trial for immorality

POSO, Central Sulawesi: Four low-ranking police officers are being prosecuted in Poso District Court for alleged immorality in the regency.

Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Abdi Dharma Sitepu said on Tuesday that the four had been put on trial after they allegedly had extramarital relationships with Poso girls, but later had refused to accept responsibility when the girls became pregnant.

One of the four, Second. Brig. Wa, was temporarily away from the area, but Abdi promised that the Poso Police would make sure that he would appear in court soon.

Large numbers of police and military personnel have been stationed in the regency following the sectarian conflict that erupted four years ago, which has claimed some 2,000 lives to date. -- JP