Prosecutors demand 15 years for Elize

JAKARTA (JP): Government prosecutors demanded on Thursday a 15-year prison term against psychic Elize Maria Tuwahatu for illegal possession of explosives which were found in her possession at the time of her arrest at Taman Mini, East Jakarta, in January.

The prosecutors however many no reference to any specific bombing campaign or any accomplice of the 33-year old woman from Menteng district in Central Jakarta.

There was also no mention of Hutomo Mandala Putra alias Tommy, the son of former president Soeharto who is now at large, whose name came up during earlier police interrogations.

Surung Aritonang, who headed the prosecuting team, told the East Jakarta District Court that Elize had violated Emergency Law No. 12/1951 banning the possession of explosives.

Aritonang said Elize had been uncooperative, refusing to disclose the origin of the three bombs that were found in her possession at the time of her arrest and switched her stories during the investigation by police.

Elize was arrested at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah recreation park on Jan. 19, carrying three bombs.

A key witness during the trial, Agung Yulianto alias Ki Joko Bodo who is also a psychic by training, told the court earlier that he was the intended recipient of the bombs.

Ki Joko Bodo, who tipped the police about Elize's request to meet him at Taman Mini, said he had been given instructions to set off the bombs at the Attorney General's office, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Directorate General of Taxation.

Elize was specific in her instruction to kill then attorney general Marzuki Darusman and Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut Pandjaitan, according to Ki Joko Bodo, who said that he was offered Rp 1 billion ($84,000) for the job.

Elize's lawyers have questioned Ki Joko Bodo's credibility, calling him a liar at earlier hearings.

During her first interrogation, police said Elize had confessed that she received the bombs and instructions directly from Tommy. But she later retracted her statement and said the bombs had been given to her by a person who resembled Tommy.

Tommy, who was convicted for corruption, is still at large, ducking the authorities on the day they came to arrest him.

Elize's trial was adjourned until July 25, to hear her defense. (06)