Police question UI student leader

Police question UI student leader

JAKARTA: Central Jakarta Police investigators again questioned
the chairman of the University of Indonesia's student executive
board over his key role in a student demonstration earlier this
month.

The police charged Rico Marbun with violating Article 214 of
the Criminal Code on instigating people to attack the police. The
article carries a maximum of eight and a half years in jail for
the instigator.

"Rico could be detained after the questioning as he has been
charged with a serious crime," lawyer Echoline was quoted as
saying by news portal Detik.com at the Central Jakarta Police
Headquarters.

Students representing student unions from Jakarta-based
universities staged a rally demanding a reduction in utility
prices, the halting of the privatization program, and tough
action against embezzlers, outside the official residence of
President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Jl. Teuku Umar in Central
Jakarta on Feb. 6.

A policeman was taken hostage by the students following a
clash with law enforcers.

Echoline refuted the accusations, saying that his client did
not instigate the attack against the police, nor order the taking
hostage of a police officer.

"On the contrary, Rico was the one who collected the missing
police caps and shields and returned them to the Central Jakarta
Police chief," he added. -- JP