Kyodo News [Japan], Friday December 12, 2003 6:32 PM
Convicted Christian militant leader flees Indonesia for U.S.
A Christian militant leader sentenced to jail for separatist activities in Indonesia's
riot-torn eastern islands of Maluku has fled to the United States, one of his colleagues
said Friday.
"Mr. Alex Manuputty left for New York on Nov. 19 to speak before U.N. officials after
obtaining a permit from the government," Samuel Waileruny, 45, a senior member of
the pro-independence Maluku Sovereignty Front chaired by Manuputty, told Kyodo
News.
The North Jakarta District Court sentenced both Manuputty and Waileruny to three
years in prison in January this year. Their prison terms were increased in April after
the court found them guilty of treason.
The two have appealed to the Supreme Court and are currently awaiting the court's
verdict.
Manuputty and Waileruny were sent to prison on March 17, but they were freed on
Nov. 7 because their detention term had ended.
The escape of Manuputty was disclosed Friday by Maluku Gov. Karel Ralahalu when
he expressed concerns over the legal authorities' failure to prevent the separatist
leader from leaving the country, according to the English-language Jakarta Post daily.
He warned of "new trouble" if no firm action is taken against Manuputty, but did not
elaborate.
According to Waileruny, a New York-based nongovernmental organization is
facilitating Manuputty's visit to New York to speak on human rights violations in
Maluku, such as Christians allegedly being forced to convert to Islam.
The NGO is also trying to arrange a meeting between Manuputty and U.N. Secretary
General Kofi Annan, he said.
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