So many islands, so little time

Wednesday, July 17, 2002

Jakarta on Trial

Mother Jones, not my favorite publications, has the following:

"Indonesian prosecutors are asking that the son of former dictator Suharto be given a 15-year prison sentence for his role in the murder of a Supreme Court justice. The BBC reports that prosecutors were entitled to seek the death sentence against Tommy Suharto, and that their decision to seek a more lenient penalty is being attacked as a political fix -- particularly since judges in Indonesia routinely impose sentences even more lenient than those requested by prosecutors. Antara reports that, after calling for the 15-year sentence, prosecutors quickly left the court by a back door, refusing to comment on their decision. Prosecutors reportedly cited several "mitigating factors" during their court appearance, among them Tommy Suharto's good behavior since being captured and the fact that he has a family to support. While the prosecutors involved in the case were tight-lipped, The Jakarta Post reports that the city's chief prosecutor described the sentence as "sufficient for the four charges." The sentencing is not the only thing raising eyebrows, either. Bill Guerin of the Asia Times writes that Tommy Suharto isn't exactly suffering while in jail. The former millionaire playboy's cell is fenced off from the rest of the prison and includes a private bathroom, a 21-inch television, cellular phones -- luxuries which Guerin says "no doubt create conducive conditions for his frequent five-hour conjugal visits." The court's ruling, Guerin reports, holds special importance for Indonesia. "This is a battle between good and evil," a prosecutor explains. "If you can't put him in jail, don't talk about reform anymore." " [via Moreover]