Jakarta – Rush-hour traffic in downtown Jakarta ground to a halt yesterday as protesters blocked streets, demanding that former President B.J. Habibie and his security chief be prosecuted for the deaths of 10 students two years ago.

About 1,000 protesters marched down the city's central Sudirman Avenue, demanding that prosecutors file charges against the former President and former military chief and security minister General Wiranto.

In May 1998, Dr Habibie took over as head of state when massive protests forced former President Suharto to resign. He had ruled the country with an iron fist for 32 years.

In November 1998, security forces killed at least 10 students during another wave of violent protests, this time aimed against Dr Habibie's administration, which was dominated by right-wingers who had underpinned Mr Suharto's regime.

Although Dr Habibie was voted out of office and replaced a year ago by President Abdurrahman Wahid, no investigation into the killings has been undertaken.