Police proceed with Father Sandyawan case

Police proceed with Father Sandyawan case

JAKARTA (JP): Police have decided to proceed with a case
involving Catholic priest Ignatius Sandyawan Sumardi who was
questioned last year for sheltering three youth activists wanted
by police.

Sandyawan's lawyer, Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan, said yesterday the
police finished interrogation of the priest in September.

He said police delivered a summons last week for Sandyawan to
attend the submission of his dossier to the Bekasi Prosecutor's
Office on Monday.

The case relates to three leaders of the unrecognized
Democratic People's Party (PRD) -- Budiman Sudjatmiko, Petrus H.
Haryanto, and Yakobus Eko Kurniawan -- who were found guilty of
subversion in April.

Sandyawan allegedly harbored the PRD leaders at the Bekasi
home of his brother, Benny Sumardi.

Police arrested the three PRD leaders at the house on Aug. 11
last year.

Luhut said harboring criminals or people wanted by the police
carried a maximum penalty of nine months jail.

He said Sandyawan faced a dilemma because as a priest he was
obligated to shelter frightened people.

But article 322 of the Criminal Code states that a person who
uncovers other people's secrets, because of his profession or
position, may be sentenced to nine months jail.

"Uncovering people's secrets is a crime but, on the other
hand, it is also a crime to harbor people wanted by the police,"
Luhut said.

He said Sandyawan should have immunity from these charges
because he was a priest.

"Besides, those people were seeking his help," he said.

Luhut said there was a possibility the case would not proceed
after Monday.

"Usually, however, if a case comes to the prosecutor's office,
it goes to court," he said.

Sandyawan, who accompanied Luhut yesterday, said he was ready
to accept any consequences because "I am confident with what I
have done.

"It was my moral decision to shelter frightened people. I am
ready to face all the consequences because of my decision," he
said.

All the PRD's leaders were sentenced in April to between 18
months and 13 years jail.

The Central Jakarta District Court convicted five and the
South Jakarta District Court convicted six. Nine appealed to the
Jakarta High Court but their appeals were rejected. (05)