Xanana gets three-month sentence reduction

Xanana gets three-month sentence reduction

KARAWANG, West Java (JP): Jailed East Timorese rebel leader
Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao was one of 16,718 prisoners to
receive a remission on this year's independence day, Minister of
Justice Oetojo Oesman said yesterday.

Talking to reporters after a ceremony at Karawang Prison, West
Java, Oetojo said Xanana would receive a three-month reduction of
his 20-year sentence.

"The remission was given based on the prisoner's behavior," he
said.

Oetojo said Xanana's remission was not influenced by South
African President Nelson Mandela who had sent a letter to
President Soeharto calling for the rebel leader's release.

Mandela met Xanana on July 15, during his visit here.

Xanana led separatist guerrillas in East Timor before being
captured in November 1992.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Dili court on May
21, 1993. But three months later his sentence was reduced to 20-
years by President Soeharto.

Xanana is currently serving time at Cipinang Prison in Central
Jakarta.

In Dili, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares also
denied that Xanana's remission was to placate Mandela who called
for the rebel leader's release.

He said the decision was based on his good behavior, just like
any other prisoner.

Meanwhile, Xanana, 51, would not comment on the possibility of
his release.

"I didn't raise that issue so I don't have any comment,
especially since I never demanded to be released," he told The
Jakarta Post yesterday.

"I still believe that a solution to the East Timor issue is
more important than my release," he added.

On Saturday, Oetojo hinted that if Xanana maintains his good
behavior more remissions may be in store.

"Xanana has behaved well while serving his time, I think he
can get his freedom back before the end of his prison term,
because reductions are awarded every year," Oetojo said as quoted
by Antara.

Among the requirements to receive a remission are good
manners, discipline in following prison rules and social
responsibilities such as donating blood.

Inmates who became leaders in organizing several social
activities in prison could get up to an eight-month reduction of
their jail term.

Release

Oetojo said the government also released yesterday 1,489
prisoners, 72 of them convicted for subversion, because the
sentence reduction coincided with the time remaining they had to
serve.

Among those who received a remission were Derek Homer and
Otniel Maifun, members of the Free Papua Movement convicted in
1991. Both are imprisoned at Jayapura prison.

Oetojo said independence day celebrations should be greeted by
prisoners since it was a time when many received reductions of
their sentences.

"It reminds us that we honor individual freedom as we much as
we honor the freedom of countries," he said.

Asked about the possible release of prisoners held for their
activities with the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI),
Oetojo said it was still being discussed. (05/14/23/33)