Three-year jail term sought for Lt. Agus Isrok

JAKARTA (JP): Military prosecutors demanded on Tuesday the Jakarta Military Court sentence defendant Army Second Lt. Agus Isrok to three years in jail for allegedly possessing and carrying narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Besides the three-year jail term, military prosecutor Maj. P. Simorangkir also demanded the military court discharge Agus, a member of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus), from military service.

"The defendant has violated Article 78 of the 1997 law on narcotics, and also Article 62 of the 1997 law on psychotropic substances," Simorangkir told a hearing at the military court located in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta.

Article 78 carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, while Article 62 carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

Simorangkir said Agus, the oldest son of former Army chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, and accomplice Donny Hendrian were arrested by the city police at a hotel in West Jakarta on Aug. 8, 1999.

"The city police confiscated two small plastic bags of shabu- shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and one small plastic bag of marijuana packed in a matchbox from Agus' pants," he said in the hearing, presided over by judge Col. Sarman Mulyana.

From the hotel room, police also confiscated 1.6 kilograms of shabu-shabu, 6,218 ecstasy pills, 27.9 grams of heroin and 25 sachets of Valium pills in a big bag, he said.

In the previous hearing, Agus denied that he possessed and carried the drugs either in the matchbox or in the big bag.

The West Jakarta District Court sentenced Donny last month to nine years and six months in jail for possession of drugs in the big bag.

Simorangkir also said in Tuesday's hearing that the defendant tarnished the Indonesian Military's name.

"Instead of eradicating rampant drug dealing in the country, the defendant, a member of the state apparatus, has even been consuming drugs," he said.

"Therefore, the defendant must be discharged from the Army's service."

Sarman asked the defendant whether he understood the demand.

Agus, who stood up during the hearing, quietly replied : "I understand, your honor."

The hearing was adjourned from 11 a.m until 1 p.m after Simorangkir requested to the panel of judges to be allowed to hand over the dossiers on the seizure of the drugs and the arrest of Agus at the hotel.

The judges rejected the request after the defendant testified that he never signed the dossiers. Agus' lawyers also questioned the prosecutors about a police officer who signed the dossiers, First. Lt. Asghani, because the officer was not involved in the arrest.

Sarman gave the prosecutors two hours to revise the indictment.

The hearing was adjourned until next Tuesday when the court will hear the defense statement. (asa)