Winters rejects media reports he sexually assaulted assailant

YOGYAKARTA (JP): American scholar Jeffrey Winters has denied media reports that he sexually harassed a young man who assaulted him here early Monday.

"I did nothing except have a conversation with one of the attackers (before the attack)," Winters said in a four-page statement dated Sept. 15, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post.

Winters faxed the statement from the United States.

"I suspect that they tried to rob me because I was wearing diamond and gold rings."

Local media has reported that Winters sexually harassed Tri Apri Untoro, 19, after they met in a local park at about 3 a.m. Tri, who attacked Winters with the help of two friends, said he was incensed after Winters invited him to a secluded area and propositioned him.

"Police caught them in the act when they were attacking me... so it is understandable that they had to defend themselves with any means necessary," Winters said.

Winters reportedly asked police not to file charges against the men, who have identified themselves as university students.

In his faxed statement, however, he said: "If necessary, I will challenge these fabrications through my lawyer and also file suit regarding the attack.

"It is not easy to defend myself from such a distance in the U.S., but I will strive so that the tarnishing of my reputation does not continue."

He contended the incident was blown up in the media by "a group of people" in an attempt to discredit him. The associate professor at Northwestern University in Illinois has been critical of the Indonesian government.

Winters was questioned by the police and prosecutors in April for allegedly defaming Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita.

Winters alleged last October that Ginandjar, while serving as minister of mines and energy, profited handsomely from the renewal of mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia's contract of work.

He said he based his allegations on material provided by the research group Econit, which is headed by noted economist Rizal Ramli. Ginandjar has denied the allegations. (44/byg)