Widows vent anger against defendants

Widows vent anger against defendants

PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): Dozens of women, mostly widows
whose husbands died in last year's communal clashes in Poso, were
involved in minor scuffles with security personnel at the Palu
District Court on Wednesday as they tried to vent their anger
against defendants on trial for their involvement in the
violence.

The women came to the court to watch the trial of Heri M.
alias Papa Yus, 58, and Ferinandus, 30. Wednesday's session heard
testimonies from four witnesses.

Presiding judge Mustari frequently had to remind the women not
to yell out as it was interrupting the proceedings.

However, as soon as the judge closed the trial the women
hysterically ran toward the tightly guarded defendants who were
being returned to the cells behind the court room.

The minor clash broke out as the guards prevented the women
from venting their anger against the defendants.

Security personnel escorted the defendants from the court room
through an emergency exit.

During the trial all the witnesses, Untung Jaelani, 46,
Sumarni, 26, Hajriah, 19, and Untung Jumadi, 29, told the court
that they knew the defendants and that the two were involved in
the clashes in their village of Tambaro in May last year.

Sumarni told the hearing that during the unrest the two
defendants told the villagers to gather together and later herded
them to the neighboring village of Watuawu.

Prosecutor Satimin has demanded 17 years imprisonment for the
defendants.

Judge adjourned the trial until next Thursday to hear more
witnesses.

Last week, the same court sentenced to death the three
plotters of the communal clashes, which pitted Muslims against
Christians.

It was the first time a court has handed down a death sentence
to the masterminds of riots.

Up to 200 people were killed during the clashes, which
followed conflict between Muslims and Christians in Maluku.
(24/emf)