Punishment for pedophile hailed

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Indonesian Institute for the Protection of Women and Children has hailed the punishment meted out by the Medan District Court to Asinia David, 37, for sodomizing and killing three-year-old M. Anwar.

"The sentence imposed by the court against the defendant is quite harsh and he deserves it," institute director Syafaruddin said yesterday.

The prosecutor asked for nine year's imprisonment for the defendant, but the court gave him six-and-a-half years.

David admitted in court to having raped and murdered the child. (rms)