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