APSN Banner

Three PRD leaders arrested in Jakarta

Source
ASIET - March 21, 1998

On Friday March 13, three leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PRD) of Indonesia were captured in a flat in Jakarta. The three leaders are Mugianto, Nesar Patria and Aan Rusdianto. According to military and police spokespersons they are to be charged under the 1962 subversion law, which provides for a maximum penalty of death, as well as under another law pertaining to conspiracy to commit banned activities.

Police and military spokespersons have been quoted in the daily newspaper Kompas, on March 19, as stating that the three were guilty of "putting forward demands and carrying out mass actions opposed to the government" and of carrying out "political actions such as meetings, political discussions and organising the masses." They were also accused of having "communistic" literature in their possession.

They were also accused of being members of a banned organisation. The PRD was formally banned by decree in 1997. It has been under a de facto ban since July, 1996 when Armed Forces headquarters issued an order for the arrest of all PRD personnel. However, the PRD has continued top organise and be at the forefront of the struggle against the Suharto dictatorship.

Petrus Haryanto

The International Office of the PRD has received information that Secretary-general of the PRD, Petrus Haryanto, currently in Cipinang prison is suffering deteriorating health. He has asked to be hospitalised in a hospital that had adequate medical facilities. As yet his request has not been responded to by the prison authorities.

Country