Two tried for insulting Megawati

JAKARTA: The fate of two demonstrators charged with insulting the President and Vice President by stomping on their pictures during a protest, is expected to be announced by the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

Chief prosecutor Luhut Sianturi has earlier asked the court to sentence Muzakkir, alias Aceh, and Nanang Mamija, alias Junet, to 18 months in jail for their actions outside the State Palace on June 24.

The defendants were participating in a peaceful rally held by the Populist Youth Movement (GPK) and the National Farmers Federation (STN), demanding the dismissal of President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz.

At the end of the rally, Muzakkir and Nanang allegedly stomped on posters of Megawati and Hamzah and poured rotten food on the damaged pictures.

The defendants, who have been detained since June 30 and July 1 respectively, were charged under Article 134 of the Criminal Code on insults against the president or vice president. The charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison. --JP