'€œThe rule of law and an independent judiciary are vital components of any democratic system,'€ he said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

'€œWe appreciate the fairness and prudence shown by Jakarta'€™s appeals court,'€ he went on.

The Associated Press earlier reported that an Indonesian court had overturned convictions against a Canadian teacher and an Indonesian teaching assistant who were serving 10 years in prison for sexually abusing three young children at the prestigious international school in Jakarta.

In April, the South Jakarta District Court convicted Bantleman and Tjiong of violating Indonesia's child protection law. They maintained their innocence and appealed to the Jakarta High Court. The two men were supported by fellow teachers and the principal at the Jakarta International School, now called the Jakarta Intercultural School.

Bantleman's and Tjiong's lawyer, Hotman Paris Hutapea, said the sexual abuse claims were motivated by money. The principal and a number of other teachers have alleged the same. The mother of one of the children had earlier filed a lawsuit against the school for alleged negligence and was seeking US$125 million in compensation.

"The truth is finally revealed and justice has been done," Hutapea told AP on Friday.

The school is attended by children of foreign diplomats, expatriates and Indonesia's elite. It has 2,400 students aged 3 to 18 from about 60 countries. (ebf)(+++)

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