Police to probe court incident

Police to probe court incident

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacoeb
pledged on Thursday to probe the clash between students, lawyers
and police at the trial of two student activists at the South
Jakarta District Court.

At least one student and three lawyers were injured after
reportedly being beaten by police officers safeguarding the
trial.

Sofjan said police were asked by South Jakarta Prosecutors'
Office to safeguard the trial in anticipation of a massive
student rally at the district court.

Wednesday's trial on activists Mixil Mina Munir and Arif
Wardoyo turned chaotic after the defendants and their lawyers
walked out in protest of the judge's banning of their supporters
from entering the court room.

The two students were charged with provoking violent
demonstrations against the fuel price hike last June.

In a related development, the students' team of lawyers met
with National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro to convey their
protest over what they claimed as police brutality in handling
the student protesters. (emf)