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Munarman faces up to 7 years
Islam Troop Command (KLI) leader Munarman was in the Central Jakarta district courthouse Friday -- not as the lawyer he once was, but as a defendant on trial for June's Monas Park attack
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Islam Troop Command (KLI) leader Munarman was in the Central Jakarta district courthouse Friday -- not as the lawyer he once was, but as a defendant on trial for June's Monas Park attack.
Prosecutor Sigit J. Pribadi told the court Munarman incited the June 1 ambush against activists from the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB).
Some 70 activists were injured during the peaceful rally in support of the Muslim sect Ahmadiyah.
Munarman has been charged with violating criminal code article 170 on ambush, article 406 on property damage, article 351 on torture and Article 160 on provocation, Sigit said, adding the maximum punishment was seven years in prison, as stated in article 170.
"When the defendant heard there were members of a group called AKKBB near the site, he and his followers went to the eastern side of Monas park to get a look. Later, the defendant made a gesture with his hand -- pointing at the AKKBB group -- signaling his followers to start the attack," Sigit read out in court.
According to the prosecutor's dossier, Munarman also shouted "Destroy the car!", leading to an attack on AKKBB's sound system vehicle, as well as on activist Yakobus Edi Yuwono.
Munarman, former chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), complained about the prosecutor's handling of his extension letter.
"While I was in detention, the prosecutor was late in providing the extension letter by 16 hours and ten minutes. That's actually a grave violation of my human rights! I forgive the prosecutor, but I hope this won't happen again in the future," he said.
Before the court session ended, Munarman's lawyers asked presiding judge Panusunan Harahap to shorten their client's detention period, as he needed to accompany his pregnant wife.
"The defendant's wife will give birth in the very near future," M. Assegaf, one of the lawyers, said.
Panusunan said the request would be discussed in the next trial session, which will be held next Thursday, the same day the trial for Islam Defenders Front (FPI) member, Rizieq Shihab, is set to continue.
Meanwhile, AKKBB activist M. Guntur Romli and Isti, a member of the National Integration Movement, visited city police headquarters Friday to report they had been threatened and assaulted Thursday during Rizieq's trial.
"Isti refused to move from her seat when some FPI members wanted to occupy it. She was about to give up when she mumbled, 'No wonder Islam is being tied to terrorism'," said Nong Darol, an AKKBB activist who witnessed the event.
When someone later shouted Isti had called the FPI "terrorists", members of the group suddenly appeared and began pulling her hair and clothing, Nong added.
