Prosecution return dossier of McCulloch, Sadler to police
Prosecution return dossier of McCulloch, Sadler to police
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
The Aceh Prosecutor's Office returned on Wednesday the dossier of
British Lesley McCulloch, 42, and American Joy Lee Sadler, 57, to
local police office for completion.
"It must be improved," said Zainal Said, a state prosecutor
with the Aceh Prosecutor's Office here.
Zainal said the dossier was incomplete, but did not explain
what was lacking.
British researcher McCulloch and American volunteer Sadler
were arrested in South Aceh on Sept. 11 for violation of their
tourist visa.
During the investigation, police said they had found materials
related to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), a secessionist movement
that has been fighting for independence since 1976, and planned
to press espionage charges against the two. The espionage charge
was later dropped due to lack of evidence.
Zainal expressed the hope that the police would soon fulfill
the requirement.
The trial of the two foreigners was supposed to be held at the
Meulaboh District Court, but the venue may be moved to Banda Aceh
at the request of their lawyers.
According to Zainal, the request to move the venue of the
trial is now with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights for
assessment.
Separately, local police spokesman Comr. Taufik S. pledged
that his office would complete the dossier as soon as possible.
"Possibly this week. We will not repeat questioning," Taufik
told The Jakarta Post.
Rufriadi, one of the lawyers, meanwhile refused to comment on
the return of the dossier to the police. "Let us just wait for
further developments," he said.
McCulloch and Sadler could face up to five years in jail or a
fine of Rp 25 million (US$2,800) if convicted of violating
immigration rules.
Aceh Police chief Insp. Gen. Yusuf Manggabarani had said
earlier that his office had no plan to release the suspects in
the near future because during the investigation the two admitted
to being involved in activities incompatible with their tourist
visas.
Their detention was extended for 40 days on Oct. 2.