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TITLE: Aceh Independence Activist May Be Tried In Jakarta |
AUTHOR: A. Asydhad |
ORG: Detikworld |
DATE: January 17, 2001 |
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Information Center (SIRA) Muhammad Nazar has been handed over to the Banda Aceh District Court, Wednesday (17/01/2001). If his trial can not proceed in Aceh, his lawyers have asked the trial be transferred to a Jakarta district court. "The dossier has been submitted to the criminal division of the Banda Aceh District Court," said Nazar's lawyer, Abdurahman Yacoub, SH when interviewed by detikworld at the Court, Wednesday. The ten-page dossier was handed over to clerk of the court Iskandar SH by Abdurahman Yacoub SH and Syafi'i Saragih SH, two of Nazar's lawyers. Iskandar said the state prosecutor's team has already been appointed. The team comprises of Superi, SH, Muhammad, SH, Andi Sundari, SH, Muhibudin, SH and Mardani, SH. The dossier, numbered SP B. 076/N.1.10/EP.2/01/2001, would be studied by the team for two days, said the court's secretary Balakiah Ruddin, SH. Then, the dossier would be submitted to head of the court for further examination. Balakiah said they were unable to comment further on the case at present as it was still in the administrative pipelines and technical matters were being considered. Rumor has it, Nazar's trial is to be held outside of the strife-torn province of Aceh. Apart from security matters, the Banda Aceh District Court only has two judges at present: the head of the court and another judge who has only just been transferred. "We expect Nazar to be tried in Aceh. But, if the situation makes it impossible, it may be moved outside Aceh according to article 85 of the Criminal Code," stated Abdurahman. He continued that they had asked for the trial to be held in the Central Jakarta District Court if the trial does not to proceed in Aceh. " If the district court in the provincial capital is inadequate, it should be held in a district court in the capital," said Abdurrahman. Nazar is currently being detained at Keudah Prison, Banda Aceh. He has been charged under articles 154 and 155 in conjunction with article 160 of the Criminal Code, supported by article 161 of the Code. Muhammad Nazar was detained on November 20, 2000. He was taken in relation to SIRA's boycot of the celebrations to mark Indonesia's Independence Day on 17 August. On that day, Nazar assembled pedicab drivers and sent them roaming through the streets of Banda Aceh parading pro-referendum and UN flags as well as banners which referred to Indonesia as `colonists'. Nazar was also accused in relation to the 10 November 2000 which SIRA organised in Banda Aceh. The rally proceeded despite strong warnings from the Indonesian security forces. Perhaps hundreds of Acehnese were killed as the security forces attempted to prevent them joining the rally. END |