Bendera activists assaulted, defamation trial delayed

The lawyer of Bona Ventura and Ferdi, activists accused of defaming a number of high-profile political figures including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s son Edhie “Ibas” Bhaskoro, says his clients were assaulted early Thursday morning.
 
The assault rendered them unable to attend the trial at the Central Jakarta District Court, lawyer Saur Siagian said.

Bona and Ferdi were charged with defamation after mentioning several names including Edhie Baskoro, alias Ibas, the son of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Youth and Sports Minister Andi Malarangeng, and Coordinating Political, Law and Security Minister Djoko Suyanto.

“Both of our clients were assaulted by approximately eight people with motorcycles. They were hit in the head. They have been admitted to the Mitra Keluarga Hospital,” Saur said as quoted by kompas.com.

Bona and Ferdi are members of a mass organization called Bendera. They previously publicized a list allegedly mentioning the names of public figures who received some of the controversial bailout fund of Bank Century.

The bailout was conducted in 2008 and 2009, and amounted up to a whopping Rp 6.76 trillion (US$716 million)in total.

Ibas and several other figures in the list then reported the two to the police for defamation.
The trial was canceled due to the defendants’ absence.