Prosecutors unmoved over Tibo

Prosecutors unmoved over Tibo

PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): The team of prosecutors stood
firm by their demand on Tuesday for the death penalty for three
defendants charged with instigating the Poso riots, which claimed
hundreds of lives last year.

The prosecutors, represented by Latara, reiterated their
demand soon after the lawyers of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da
Silva and Marinus Riwu, read their defense statements.

"Based on witnesses' testimony, the three defendants were
guilty of violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code, relating to
premeditated murder, which is punishable by death," prosecutor
Latara told the panel of judges presided over by Soedarmo.

The prosecutors had earlier told the court that the defendants
had played an active role in the sectarian clash which took place
between May 24 and Sept. 20 last year.

Tuesday's court hearing began with the lawyers' defense
statements.

The lawyers, Robert Bofe, Felix Manurung and Elvis, taking
turns to read the 139-page rebuttal, asked the court to hand down
as light a punishment as possible to the defendants.

Thousands of visitors packed the grounds of the court building
shouting abuses at both the defendants and their lawyers.
(24/sur)