BBC World News, Monday, 19 August, 2002, 10:40 GMT 11:40 UK
Christian separatist on trial in Indonesia
A Christian separatist leader has gone on trial in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta,
charged with plotting a rebellion on the religiously-divided Maluccan islands.
Alex Manuputty belongs to a small separatist group, the Maluku Sovereignty Front,
banned for its campaign to set up an independent state in the southern part of the
Maluccan archipelago.
Correspondents say the trial is being seen as an effort by the Indonesian authorities
to hold Christian and Muslim separatists equally accountable for sectarian clashes in
the province.
Last week, the trial began of a Muslim militia leader Jafar Umar Thalib charged with
promoting violence in the Maluccas.
About 80% of Indonesia's population is Muslim, but on the Maluccan islands the
inhabitants are evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
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