The Jakarta Post, 2/3/2003 11:14:02 AM
Priest tried for alleged weapons possession
JAKARTA (JP): A Christian priest went on trial Monday for allegedly possessing
weapons and ammunition in Poso, AFP reported.
Rev. Rinaldi Damanik "is accused of illegal possession of weapons and ammunition
under the 1951 emergency laws, charges that carry up to the deathsentence," said
Judge I Nyoman Somanada of the district court in Palu, the capital of Central
Sulawesi province.
Damanik is accused of possessing 14 home-made firearms and 144 rounds of
ammunition which were allegedly found in his car by soldiers and police whohalted a
convoy of cars in Poso in August last year.
Damanik, who signed a truce between Muslim and Christian leaders several years
ago, has said he knows nothing about the weapons and there were no witnesses to
the alleged weapons discovery.
The trial will resume on February 10.
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