Vendors face jail terms for rioting

Vendors face jail terms for rioting

JAKARTA (JP): A state prosecutor asked the Central Jakarta
District Court yesterday to sentence four sidewalk vendors to
between 10 and 18 months' imprisonment for their role in the
Tanah Abang market riot in January.

Prosecutor Petrus Sambara charged Hadi Subarno, 39, Erri
Suanto, 28, Daniel H. Tanjung, 22 and Willem Morgan, 17, under
Article 170 of the Criminal Code for jointly and deliberately
using force against another person.

The offense carries a maximum five-and-a-half years'
imprisonment.

Willem was also charged with arson, which under Article 184 of
the Criminal Code is punishable with up to 12 years'
imprisonment.

The prosecutor demanded 18 months for Willem, 16 months each
for Daniel and Subarna, and 10 months for Erri.

The four defendants admitted taking part in the riot, which
saw the Tanah Abang district office gutted and four cars parked
outside burned.

The riot was sparked after a row between vendors and the
market's security officers.

Petrus said the defendants' behavior caused public unrest and
disrupted public service at the district office. "They are
responsible for the damage to the four cars. In addition, Willem
threw lit matches at the burning building and cars," he said.

He cited the defendants' admission of guilt, and, in two
cases, their young age, as mitigating circumstances. "Besides, it
was a spontaneous reaction toward the market's security officers'
cruel conduct," he said.

Four other men have been convicted for their part in the riot,
receiving jail terms of between eight months and one year.

The trial was adjourned until next week for the defense
statement. (12)