Riot suspects to be tried

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)