Trial of journalist murder case begins

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The trial of alleged journalist killer Dwi Sumaji began in the Bantul District Court yesterday amid tight security.

Security forces, stationed in front of the court gate, examined every person attending the opening session to avoid disruption during the case.

Prosecutor Amrin Naim, who read the charges against the defendant, said Sumaji, alias Iwik, had plotted the murder of Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin.

The prosecutor said Sumaji bashed Fuad, better known as Udin, with an iron bar in front of his home just before midnight on Aug. 13 last year.

Udin, a reporter for the local newspaper Bernas, was rushed to the hospital but died of wounds to his head three days later.

Defendant Sumaji, a travel agency driver, faces a maximum sentence of death.

Before the trial began yesterday, the local prosecutors' office had rejected the police dossiers on Sumaji four times on the grounds that the documents were incomplete.

The trial will resume on Aug. 5 to hear Sumaji's defense.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, a supporter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) ousted leader Megawati Soekarnoputri was arrested yesterday for allegedly defaming police.

The incident allegedly occurred during the lawsuit of a fellow supporter. Sandra Fertasari Putri had filed a lawsuit against a city police detective, the chief of detectives and the city police chief for alleged sexual harassment.

Megawati supporter Fathia Faisal allegedly said: "stupid cop, you are just an elementary graduate" during the trial. She was arrested by four men, who identified themselves as security officers, after she spoke. (23/05)