SBSI chief released from jail

SBSI chief released from jail

JAKARTA (JP): Union leader Muchtar Pakpahan, who had been serving a four-year jail term in connection with the Medan riots last year, was released from a Medan prison yesterday at the behest of the Supreme Court.

Muchtar, the chairman of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), arrived in Jakarta by plane last night and was greeted by friends and reporters at the Soekarno-Hatta airport.

He said the Supreme Court had ordered his release "after the court's 60-day detention order expired on Thursday."

His case is still being examined by the Supreme Court.

No further explanation was immediately available last night.

Muchtar was convicted of inciting the labor riots in Medan in April of last year and sentenced to three year's jail in November. In January, on appeal by the prosecutors, the North Sumatra High Court increased the sentence to four years.

Muchtar subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court.

He has denied the accusation, pointing out that he was under police custody in Semarang when the riot occurred. The prosecutors said that Muchtar had visited Medan on several occasions prior to the riot.

The SBSI was blamed for the April riot in Medan, which left one shopowner dead and dozens of factories damaged. The riot had its origins in a massive workers' march which was organized by the union. (swe/emb)