Scapegoat ploy no help in sex case: Prosecutor
JAKARTA (JP): The prosecutor in a sexual harassment case has told judges at the South Jakarta District Court to disregard the defense's claim that the defendant, a rector, was no more than a scapegoat in a bid to take over his educational institution.
"The statement that the trial is being orchestrated by certain parties in order to appropriate the institute is a baseless accusation," prosecutor Uri Hasan Basri said on Saturday.
He said the argument of Ali Moechtar Hoeta Soehoet's lawyer, Maruli Simorangkir, was not supported by fact.
Hoeta Soehoet is rector of the Institute of Social and Mass Communication.
Earlier, Harun M. Hussen, the lead prosecutor demanded a one- year jail term for the rector for making indecent advances towards Dyah Bintarini, a member of the rector's staff. He is accused of accosting her eight times in his office and other places, including the institute's library. The sexual harassment allegedly occurred during the period of March 1987 to July 1991.
The rector is also accused of similar behavior towards Hanny Ankie Peggy, the institute's chief librarian, who was reportedly victimized sexually 15 times in her rented room and in various rooms at the institute, from May 1984 to June 1991.
During Saturday's court session led by presiding Judge Doris A.A. Taulo, Uri also criticized Maruli's statement which condemned the six witnesses presented by the prosecutors as having low moral standards, and vengeful, ungrateful attitudes.
"That conclusion was merely obtained from estimations, guessing and prediction, ignoring the facts revealed during the court examination sessions," he said.
Maruli earlier said that Hanny is a lesbian with marital problems who put forth sexual harassment charges out of hope of financial benefit. He also said that she sexually molested her own adopted daughter, Chandrit Pratiwi.
"This innuendo is only based on Chandrit's testimony. Hanny has strongly denied the allegation," Uri said, adding that there are not enough reasons to disbelieve Hanny's testimony.
Under control
The prosecutor also questioned the integrity of the five witnesses presented by the defense lawyer because they are institute lecturers still working under the defendant's control.
"The defendant's position faces them with a heavy psychological burden because their statements will affect their careers," he said.
The witnesses are Halomoan Harahap, Marzuki Hasibuan, Nazarudin Siregar, Ali Usman and Parlindungan Buha Hutagalung.
In his closing remarks, Uri asked the presiding judge to reject all elements in the defense statement.
He said that the prosecutors are maintaining their stance that the defendant should be sentenced to one year imprisonment and pay a fine of Rp 5,000 (US$2.30) for violating Article 294 section 2, Article 64 section 1 and Article 65 of the Criminal Code Procedures about sex offenses in the workplace.
The presiding judge adjourned the court session until August 6, to hear the defense lawyer's statement.
Accompanied by his children and some of his employees, Hoeta Soehoet looked very composed during Saturday's session. As usual he refused to comment to the reporters. (03)