Printer's trial adjourned

JAKARTA (JP): The trial of a man who allegedly printed the unlicensed Suara Independen magazine was adjourned yesterday because his lawyers failed to turn up.

Andi Syahputra, 32, is being accused by the government of defaming the President by helping to print the magazines which ran the offending articles.

Yanrino, one of Andi's lawyers said they were given only one day's notice of the trial date. The court should have given them at least three days, Yanrino said.

Suara Independen, a magazine critical of the government, was published by the Indonesia Society of Alternative Media, which is based in Melbourne, Australia.

The magazine does not have a publishing license in Indonesia and is therefore considered illegal.

Andi was arrested Oct. 27 at a printing shop belonging to 60- year old Jazrul Zen. Copies of the magazine were seized as evidence.

Jazrul is currently under city arrest. (13)