Winters rejects media reports he sexually assaulted assailant

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)