Australian accused of pedophilia on trial

JAKARTA: The trial of Australian Peter W. Smith, who has been accused of acts of pedophilia since 2000, opened Wednesday at the South Jakarta District Court.

Prosecutor Bayu Pramesti told the court Smith could face a maximum punishment of 15 years' jail if found guilty.

""He (Smith) often brought underaged boys home and ordered them to engage in sexual acts,"" Bayu said as quoted by Detik news website.

Smith paid each boy Rp 35,000 (US$3.76) or Rp 50,000 if they agreed to be filmed, Bayu said.

Presiding judge Soedarmadji said he would invite officials from the Australian Embassy and the National Commission for Child Protection to attend the trial. -- JP