Student on trial for defamation

TANGERANG: A student of the State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah was tried at the Tangerang District Court on Tuesday for burning pictures of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla during a protest against the fuel price increase.

Prosecutor Hasanudin, who read out the charge, said that Bay Harkat Firdaus alias Jhon Day, 20, burned the pictures of Susilo and Kalla and then stomped on them in a rally to protest the fuel price hike in front of their campus on Jl. Juanda, Ciputat on December 20.

The prosecutor charged the defendant with violating Article 134 of the Criminal Code. The Article carries a maximum punishment of six years' imprisonment.

Presiding judge Supriyono adjourned the hearing until next Tuesday to hear the defense. --JP