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)