Prita should be released, expert says

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 06/03/2009 4:24 PM  |  National

State prosecutors should release Prita Mulyasari, a housewife who has been detained for allegedly defaming a hospital on the Internet, University of Indonesia criminologist Adrianus Meliala said Wednesday.
 
"Police, prosecutors and judges should take a sense of justice into consideration. Don't be too strict in implementing the law and ignore fairness," Adrianus told reporters after a seminar on online pornography at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java.
 
Adrianus believes that Prita had no malicious intention when she shared her complaint about the medical treatment she underwent at the Omni International Hospital, Tangerang.

"I don't understand the police. The Electronic Information and Transaction Law stipulates intent, does it not?" he said.
 
Adrianus added the email Prita wrote was spread over the Internet via a mailing list, not by herself.
 
"Prosecutors and judges should consider acquitting Prita of all charges. They have the authority to do that," Adrianus said.
 
Prita has been detained at Tangerang Women’s Penitentiary for three weeks for allegedly violating Article 27 of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law and Articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code on defamation. (bbs)

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