RI fishermen's trial postponed until June

RI fishermen's trial postponed until June

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): A judge on Sunday postponed the
trial of 39 Indonesian fishermen whose arrest for illegally
entering Malaysian waters earlier this year has sparked protests
in Indonesia.

Magistrate Court Judge Ibrahim Osman postponed hearings until
June 10 to enable the fishermen's newly appointed defense lawyer
to study the case, which is being heard in Malaysia's northern
Langkawi resort island, the national news agency, Bernama,
reported.

The fishermen have been charged with illegally fishing in a
trawler near Langkawi and attempting to flee enforcement
officials who arrested them on Feb. 1.

Authorities say the fishermen tried to ram a Malaysian navy
patrol boat which ordered them to halt. The patrol boat fired
warning shots, wounding one of the Indonesians, who later died.

Hundreds of Indonesian fishermen staged protests last week at
a Malaysian consulate on Indonesia's Sumatra island to demand
their colleagues' release.

The Indonesian government has accused the Malaysian navy of
using excessive force. But Malaysian officials insist their men
were following regulations.