Suspect's lawyer warns police

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Lawyer Arief Budi Cahyono warned police on Tuesday of "unwanted disturbances" in Purwokerto if a suspect in the case of a foiled land appropriation is not released.

Arief is representing Banyumas Council Speaker Tri Waluyo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, who is currently being questioned over his action to block an appropriation of land by officials in a land dispute.

Juman, a PDI Perjuangan task force member, is alleged to have struck a court official when the land was about to be seized.

Responding to Arief's threat, district police chief Lt. Col. Imam Basuki retaliated by warning that the lawyer would be held directly responsible if unrest broke out in the city. (08/45)