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.