Prosecutor defends abortion trial

JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutor Andi Tjudai has urged a panel of judges at the Central Jakarta District Court to continue hearing the case against Budiman alias Arifin, 51, who was indicted at the court on charges of conducting illegal abortions.

Andi made the remark Tuesday in front of the panel of judges led by Abas Sumantri in a session to hear lawyers' responses to the indictment.

Based on the defendant's status, the judges have the authority to rule on the case, Andi was quoted by Antara as saying.

"The defendant's lawyers' claim that it was premature to give a panel of judges the authority to rule on the case is completely wrong," he said.

Therefore, he urged the panel of judges to ignore the lawyers' response to the indictment and continue the trial.

In last week's session, the team of lawyers whose members include Ruhut Sitompul and Petrus Bala Patyona said it was premature to decide that a panel of judges should rule on the case.

"The Council of Physician Ethics Codes has more authority to decide whether the defendant violated the law," Ruhut said. (hhr)