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)