Pollycarpus' trial delayed

JAKARTA: Prosecutors in Munir murder trial failed on Monday to present their sentencing recommendation for defendant Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, despite the 10-day period given to them to prepare the recommendation.

Presiding judge Cicut Sutiarso opened the hearing at 1:30 p.m. only to adjourn it until Thursday, saying the court had been waiting for the prosecutors since 9 a.m. but they had not turned up.

"We can't wait any longer given that it would take a long time for the prosecutors to read out their sentencing request. Therefore, the court has agreed to adjourn the trial until Thursday," Cicut said.

When called by phone, one of the prosecutors, Domu P. Sihite, refused to explain to the press why his team had failed to turn up in court.

A source close to the prosecution service said, however, that prosecutors remained split over whether to focus on the premeditated murder or counterfeiting of official document charges. -- JP