Jakarta – Judges have ordered prosecutors to forcibly summon six witnesses in the trial of Garuda Indonesia chief pilot's secretary Rohainil Aini, who stands charged with conspiracy in the murder of rights activist Munir Said Thalib. Munir was murdered while on a flight to Amsterdam on Sep. 7, 2004.

The six witnesses were supposed to testify in the trial session at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, but they failed to appear, forcing the panel of judges to adjourn the trial until Jan. 15.

"Asrini, who was on the same flight with Munir, is currently studying in Germany," prosecutor Didik Farkhan said. "Mehabob and Jamaludin are Singaporean citizens; we've been told we must first get permit from the (Singaporean) embassy before summoning them."

Mehabob is a Novotel hotel employee in Singapore who can confirm the check-in and check-out time of key witness Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, while Jamaludin is on the Garuda staff in Singapore.

The three other witnesses who failed to appear include toxicologist I Made Gelgel, flight expert Avirianto and Raymond "Ongen" JJ Latuihamallo, who reportedly saw Munir in the Coffee Bean cafe at the Singapore's Changi Airport. The three gave no reason for their absence. (JP/wda)