Victim's father testifies

Victim's father testifies

JAKARTA (JP): A man told a court here yesterday that his son
almost became handicapped after being beaten up.

"Had Barlian were admitted two hours later to hospital he
would have been paralyzed," Barita Sitompul, father of Barlian,
told the Central Jakarta district court.

Barlian, a university student and seven friends were allegedly
beaten up by Rifardi Rifiar, a senior student at the University
of Indonesia on Oct. 26 last year.

Barlian told the court that Rifardi beat them up because his
parked car had been moved by the eight students.

Judge Iman Purnama suggested a reconciliation.

Earlier, Barita said that Rifardi did not seem to regret his
actions.

"If they had ever attempted an apology, I would have accepted
it," Barita said.

Noted lawyer O.C. Kaligis, however, asked Barita whether he
was really sincere, given that he had earlier requested that
Rifardi be expelled from the University.

"You said earlier that 'Even in my grave I will plead that
Rifardi be expelled,' did you not?" Kaligis demanded of him.

Rifiar has been suspended from the University's activities
since last November, and is currently pressing a suit against the
University rector at the Jakarta State Administrative Court.

The hearing was adjourned until next Tuesday. (14)