VP argues for release of Agus by Manila

VP argues for release of Agus by Manila

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Vice President Hamzah Haz called on the Philippine government
on Saturday to release Agus Dwikarna if his arrest was in
connection with a substantiated crime committed in Indonesia.

"If his arrest was based on a crime that took place in
Indonesia, there is no reason for the Philippine government to
detain him there," the Vice President said after officiating at the
42nd anniversary of the Indonesian Muslim Students' Association
(PMII) at the National Monument in Central Jakarta.

"Should that be the reason, just return him to the Indonesian
government.

Agus' release would allow the Indonesian authorities to
investigate his alleged crime, Hamzah added.

Hamzah, however, said Jakarta would not intervene in the legal
process in the Philippines as the authorities there wanted to
investigate Agus further for his alleged possession of documents
on Muslim organizations, which the Philippine government was
particularly concerned about.

All charges against Agus' friends, Abdul Jamal Balfas and
Tamsil Linrung, have been dropped following a request from
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to Philippine President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo. The two Indonesian men arrived home on Friday.

Hamzah said in a case where there was enough evidence to
prosecute an Indonesian national, the government would have no
objections, such as in the case of Fathur Rochman al-Ghozi.

Al-Ghozi was sentenced by a Philippine court to six years
imprisonment for immigration violations and 12 years for illegal
possession of explosives. He is to soon face another trial for
his alleged involvement in a Manila bombing.

"We will not defend what's not right. What we will defend is
our citizens in cases where there are no indications that they
are guilty of a crime.

"Therefore, we sincerely hope Agus will also be freed if no
indications of a crime are found," Hamzah said, adding that the
government, through the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines,
would continue to closely monitor Agus' case and provide all
necessary assistance.

Thus far, there has been no formal request to extradite Agus
from the Indonesian government.