Regent of Bantul to face trial

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)