Jakarta – The public prosecutor charged six Papua activists, Surya Anta, Charles Kossay, Dano Tabuni, Isay Wenda, Ambrosius Mulait and Arina Elopere with makar and criminal conspiracy during their formal arraignment at the first hearing at Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday December 19.
In the first of two indictments, the six Papua activists were charged with violating Article 106 in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code (KUHP) otherwise known as makar (treason, subversion, rebellion).
"That the Central Jakarta District Court which has the authority examine and try the case of these individuals who have committed or participated in committing an act, namely makar, with the intent that all or a part of the country's territory fall into the hands of enemies or to separate a part of the country's territory from the rest of the country", said prosecutor P Permana as quoted by the Antara state news agency.
The second charge meanwhile was for violating Article 110 Paragraph (1) of the KUHP on criminal conspiracy as a result of the six Papua activists holding an action in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on August 28 in which the Morning Star independence flag was flown.
"That the Central Jakarta District Court which has the authority examine and try the case of these individuals who have committed criminal conspiracy with the intent that all or a part of the country's territory fall into the hands of enemies or to separate a part of the country's territory from the rest of the country", said Permana.
The six activists will be tried in three groups. The first hearing will try the defendant Arina Elopere.
In the second court hearing the court will summon the defendants Paulus Surya Anta Ginting, Charles Kossay, Ambrosius Mulait and Isay Wenda.
After this, the final court hearing will be held for the defendant Dano Anes Tabuni.
Songs and prayer
Before the court hearing began, Anta and his colleagues made time to form a circle and to pray and sing a song after entering the court room.
According to the Antara, at 4.10 pm, three of the defendants, namely Dano Tabuni, Arina Elopere and Ambrosius Mulait wore Papuan traditional headdresses and ornamentation.
After being asked to be seated in the court room, the six people stood up and formed a circle to pray. Following this they formed a straight line and sung the song "Mysterious Life" written by Papuan activists Arnold Clemens Ap. (Antara/osc)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Jaksa Dakwa Surya Anta cs Makar dan Pemufakatan Jahat".]