Trial of SIRA chairman begins

JAKARTA: The trial of the leader of Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) commenced on Monday at the Central Jakarta District Court.

The defendant Faisal bin Saifuddin was charged with violating Article 154 of the Criminal Code for inciting protests against the Indonesian government. The article carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

Prosecutor Salsen Saragih said that Faisal had allegedly committed the crime during a protest by SIRA outside the United Nations building on Jl. M.H. Thamrin last year.

"At that time, the defendant called Indonesia neocolonialist," he told the court, presided over by Judge Iskandar Tjake.

Some 50 supporters of SIRA attended the hearing. They prayed and carried Faisal while entering the court room.

The court will resume next week to hear the defense from the defendant's lawyer.

Faisal has been detained at the Jakarta Police Headquarters in Central Jakarta since Aug. 2.--JP