The Jakarta Post, February 21, 2006
Ambon terrorist jailed, supporters run amok
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Chaos broke out Monday after the Ambon District Court sentenced Idi Amin Tabrani
Pattimura, aka Ongen Pattimura, to life in prison for masterminding a deadly attack
on a karoake bar last year.
After the verdict was announced, dozens of Ongen's supporters began shouting at the
judges and rushed toward prosecutors.
The panel of judges, presided over by H. Maenong, sentenced Ongen for
masterminding an attack last Feb. 14 on the Villa karaoke bar in Hative Besar village,
Teluk Ambong Baguala district, near the provincial capital Ambon. The attack left two
people dead and one injured.
Maenong said Ongen violated articles 6 and 14 of the 2003 Terrorism Law, and Article
55 of the Criminal Code. He was found guilty of planning the attack and instructing
others to carry out an act of terrorism that left people dead and spread fear among the
population.
Fatur Datu Armen, alias, Syamsudin was sentenced to life in prison last week for the
same attack. Prosecutors had been seeking death for both men.
Ongen and Fatur did not take part in the attack, which was carried out by seven
people, one of whom is still at large. Six of the attackers are currently being tried
separately.
After the verdict was announced, Ongen's wife, Ayu Pattimura, who was sitting in the
front of the courtroom, had to be restrained by police officers to prevent her from
reaching prosecutors.
It took about 20 minutes for police to bring the situation inside the courtroom under
control. The judges and prosecutors were escorted from the court by armed officers.
"It would have been better to give him the death sentence. Shoot him now. His family
is ready to take his body. You judges and prosecutors were paid to label our son a
terrorist," Aima Pattimura, Ongen's aunt, shouted.
After the convict's supporters were removed from the courtroom, several delivered
speeches outside the courthouse.
"We are not terrorists. Why were members of the RMS (the South Maluku Republic),
which has tried to break away from Indonesia, given lighter sentences than our
brother?" Yanti Samalo, one of Ongen's relatives, said.
Some of the convict's supporters claimed outside forces were behind the indictment
and verdict. "Where is justice? The verdict against Ongen was politically engineered
to increase the position and popularity of certain officials," Ayu Pattimura said.
"Don't think Ambon will be secure with the sentencing of Ongen. The court had
treated us unfairly," one of the protesters warned.
The action outside the courthouse caused heavy traffic along Jl. Sultan Hairun and
officers were forced to disperse the protesters.
Ridwan Hasan, Ongen's lawyer, said it was unfair to use the Terrorism Law to charge
his client because Maluku was a former conflict area.
"Killing and slaughtering, the destruction of houses of worship and kampongs during
the conflict was considered ordinary. No one has been sentenced over these
incidents, even though we see them as extraordinary events," Ridwan said.
"We feel our client has been treated unfairly and we will appeal. Our client committed
the crime to protect the honor of his family," he said.
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