Prosecutor defends abortion trial

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)