PRD activists demand police free colleagues

JAKARTA (JP): Activists from the Democratic People's Party (PRD) went to the Jakarta Police Headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta on Monday to demand the release of their detained colleagues.

"We will submit a letter of guarantee to the city police chief," said party member Wilson.

He said the political party should be held responsible for whatever offense the party supporters were accused of after campaigning in front of the General Election Commission (KPU) office on Thursday,

"So it's the party leaders who will give the police a guarantee for our four detained friends," Wilson said, adding that if possible the detainees could be put under "city arrest".

The party's chairman, Budiman Sudjatmiko, is serving a jail term for subversion.

The activists visited their detained friends before meeting with Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman.

However, Noegroho refused to meet the group. One of Noegroho's aides only said," Bapak (Noegroho) is busy."

Police apprehended four PRD supporters, identified as Fendri Panonban, Wiyono, Subur and Fitra Suadra, for reportedly possessing sharp weapons in a street rally in front of the KPU building on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

The four face charges of violating the Criminal Code's Article 212 on attacking on-duty officials and the 1971 Emergency Law for carrying sharp weapons in public. Article 212 carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment.

One PRD leader, Faisol Riza, denied ownership of the confiscated evidence used to incriminate the four people.

Faisol alleged police and military still use New Order tactics in handling protesters.

Hundreds of PRD supporters were involved in a bloody clash with police in Thursday's rally. Dozens were injured on both sides.

Police reportedly confiscated steel arrows, a bottle of mercury and barbed wire wrapped in PRD flags.

"The acts by PRD supporters are already considered criminal, therefore we'll process them thoroughly," National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi commented separately on the demand.

He stressed that there would be no release until police completed dossiers on them.

"Release them on bail? Of course not, we'll process them," he said.

Roesmanhadi also suggested that the police would summon PRD's leaders for questioning in relation to the bloody clash, which was allegedly planned by the party.

"We'll summon those who are responsible in mobilizing the party supporters," he said.(emf)