The Jakarta Post, May 12, 2004
Police asked for proof of Manuputty wrongdoing
Moch. N. Kurniawan and P.C. Naommy, Jakarta
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said on Tuesday his office was still
awaiting evidence from the police on crimes allegedly committed by Maluku separatist
Alexander Manuputty.
"We need to send evidence of crimes committed by Alex to the U.S. If we could
obtain this, it would be possible to have Manuputty deported to Indonesia," Minister
Hassan said in a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I for foreign
policy.
Manuputty, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment last year for heading the
Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), which has been associated with the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) rebel group, fled to the U.S. in 2003.
Demands for his deportation have mounted following bloody clashes between
members and sympathizers of the FKM and Ambonese residents opposed to the
rebel movement on April 25, which killed at least 38 people.
According to Hassan, it was very unlikely that the U.S. would deport Manuputty
because of his political activities.
Meanwhile, a team of three lawyers defending 12 FKM members charged with treason
protested on Tuesday the arrest of their clients.
The three lawyers -- Peter Pascalis, Sahara D. Pangaribuan and Robert B. Keytimu --
made their complaint during a visit to the National Police Headquarters on Tuesday to
submit power of attorney letters stating that they would represent the 12 suspects
during questioning and trial.
The 12 suspects are Moses Tuanakotta, Manuputty's wife Olly and daughter Christin,
alleged FKM members Domingus Patiha, Ongeng Kusmani, Ramon Tuapaninaya,
Haris Abner Sahertian, Johan Taehuhu, Johan Markus, Michael Latusinai, Frans
Sineasa and Yacobus Pesiwarisa.
The suspects were transferred to Jakarta from Ambon for security reasons and arrived
at the National Police Headquarters in early May. The lawyers said that police had not
questioned the suspects yet.
"Our clients should not have been charged with committing treason just because they
displayed RMS flags during the commemoration," said Pascalis, the lawyer of Moses
Tuanakotta, the secretary-general of the FKM.
Pascalis also criticized the police for failing to arrest and detain snipers who
continued to sow fear in Ambon, the site of prolonged religious violence that has killed
more than five thousand.
Aside from Manuputty's case, Minister Hassan also said on Tuesday that the
Stockholm Prosecutor's Office would examine founder and leader of the Aceh Free
Movement (GAM), Hasan Tiro, over his alleged involvement on the separatist
movement.
"The questioning may take place in late May at Hasan Tiro's house due to his
physical illness," he said.
Indonesia is urging the Swedish government to take firm action against GAM leaders,
including Hasan, in a bid to quell the secessionist movement, which has been fighting
for independence for the resource-rich province of Aceh since 1976.
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