Regent of Bantul to face trial

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Regent of Bantul Sri Roso Sudarmo is scheduled to face military trial on Tuesday on charges of bribing legislative council members to support him for reelection.

Diponegoro military commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo said on Monday the regent, a colonel, will be tried in Semarang.

The regent has been implicated in the murder of Bernas daily journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, or Udin, on Aug. 16, 1996.

He died of wounds resulting from torture and his death was linked to his reports on corruption in Bantul.

Following public demands that the regent be removed from office, Sri Roso has been temporarily suspended.

Bibit denied the court martial would have anything to do with Fuad's death, which until now remains unsolved.

People have also demanded the court martial of deputy governor Djoko Sudantoko, also a military officer who has allegedly accumulated wealth illegally. Maj. Gen. Bibit said the charges were unproven. (45)