Soothsayer tried in Yogya

Soothsayer tried in Yogya

YOGYAKARTA: Soothsayer Permadi Satrio Wiwoho was transferred from Jakarta to the Wirogunan detention house yesterday to face trial on charges of insulting Islam.

Permadi, who heads the Association of Indonesian Mystics, allegedly described Prophet Muhammad as a dictator during a closed seminar at Gadjah Mada University last year.

He will be tried by the Sleman district court because the Bulaksumur area in which the university is located falls under the court's jurisdiction.

The Jakarta police handed the mystic over to chief of Yogyakarta police Col. Anwari, Antara reported.

Permadi faces a maximum jail term of five years if convicted.

He also is being sued for allegedly likening the ruling Golkar group to the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party. (pan)