Jakarta – The arrest of three student activists, Ilhamsyah, Bimo Petrus and Herni Sualan, who are suspected of being involved in an action by the Peoples Democratic Party (PRD) on March 5 is considered by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) to have a number of irregularities in the process of their arrest and detention.

This was stated by the secretary of the operational division of YLBHI, Munir, is a press release on Saturday (8/3). "According to a report from their families, they were arrested and detained for three days (March 4) and it was not until March 7 that their families were informed" said Munir.

Lawyers from YLBHI arrived at the central police station but failed to meet with the accused because they had to wait for coordination between other government agencies. YLBHI considers the police violated article 61 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHAP) which guarantees the rights of suspects to receive a visit from their family. "Aside from that the police as the investigating agency should fulfill all of the procedures in accordance with the stipulations of KUHAP and not involve other agencies who do not have the authority to investigate" said Munir. (bw)

[Unabridged translation from Kompas - JB]