Students' trial turns chaotic

JAKARTA (JP): The trial of two student activists in South Jakarta District Court turned chaotic as the defendants and their lawyers walked out after the presiding judge banned the students' supporters from entering the tightly guarded courtroom.

The incident happened shortly after presiding judge Abdul Majid Rahmi opened the trial of Mixil Mina Munir, 22, and Arif Wardoyo, 25, who are charged with provoking violent demonstrations against the fuel price hike last June.

Outside the courtroom, a fierce exchange took place between about 200 students and dozens of police officers.

Meanwhile, lawyers Mangapul Silalahi, Laka Dodo, Aris Setiono and Reinhard went upstairs to the second floor of the court building to meet the court chief, Lalu Mariyun. However, they were blocked by a number of police officers, who later hit the lawyers as they insisted on seeing the judge.(04)