Rebel PDI members on trial

Rebel PDI members on trial

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The provincial court in
Ujungpandang is scheduled to start a trial today against five
members of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) who took part in
the rebel PDI congress in Medan in June, which ousted the party's
leader, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"The five accused clearly violated the law in attending the
so-called Medan congress," said M. Ilyas Amin, a lawyer
representing Megawati and her colleagues.

The five -- Hambali, John Kadiaman, Effendi Ismail, Nico Ado
and Ferry Massiki -- are being sued for Rp 200 million
(US$86,900).

Similar lawsuits are being launched by Megawati supporters in
other provinces. In South Sulawesi there are three lawsuits
against branches which supported the Medan congress. (34/mds)