Riot suspects to be tried

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Police have submitted to the prosecutors' office the dossier of people being accused of involvement in the March rioting here, during which four people died, Antara reported yesterday.

Chief spokesperson at the provincial police office Capt. Tri Astuti said the Jayapura District Court will try the suspects soon. She did not give a specific date.

She said the suspects are charged with committing crimes including looting and vandalism, which has damaged scores of residents' homes, shops, and office buildings.

The dossiers of those suspected of causing the four deaths have also been submitted to the prosecutors' office.

A total of 89 people were arrested following the rioting, but many of them have been released due to a lack of evidence of involvement.

The rioting of the local people, mostly youths, began shortly after the body of an Irianese separatist leader arrived in the city. Thomas Wapay Wainggai died while in a Jakarta prison last week.

Witnesses said the crowd turned violent because security forces blocked the locals' attempts to pay their last respects to Wainggai. (swe)