Mussadeq's lawyer wants full acquittal

Thu, 04/10/2008 11:24 PM  |  National

JAKARTA: Defense lawyers for Ahmad Mussadeq, the leader of the Al-Qiyadah Islamic sect, demanded a panel of judges acquit their client from all charges at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.

"The defendant has already repented in front of the mass media and several of Indonesia's prominent Islamic figures. He has also apologized to Muslims in Indonesia for his acts," said one of the lawyers, M. Tubagus.

"The defendant can not be found guilty because he is protected by an international convention on civil human rights, which stipulates everyone is free to choose his or her own beliefs," he added.

Last week, prosecutors demanded the judges send Mussadeq to four years in jail for committing acts deemed hostile to Islam. He declared himself a new prophet in 2006.

The court will reconvene on Friday to hear a statement from prosecution and the judges are expected to reach their verdict next Wednesday. -- JP

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