From the Third Hearing of the Trial of Teguh Santosa, Editor-in-Chief of Rakyat Merdeka Online

At 10:30 a.m. Indonesian Western Time on Wednesday, September 13, 2006, at the South Jakarta District Court, the government prosecutors made a counter against a defense earlier delivered by Teguh Santosa, editor-in-chief of Rakyat Merdeka Online, and his attorneys of the Advocacy Team to Defend Journalists against the prosecutors’ indictment, which have accused him of violating Article 156a point (a) of the Criminal Code, saying:

“Those, who purposedly express feelings or commiting acts, which contain hatred, misuse or defamation against a religion recognized in Indonesia before the public, face a maximum of five years imprisonment.”

In their response, the government prosecutors insisted that the indictment has been described accurately, clearly and completely on the alleged crimes by mentioning the time and scene of the crimes, so they meet formal and material requirements as stipulated by Article 143 point (2) letter (a) and point (2) letter (b) of the Criminal Regulation Code.

The government prosecutors demanded the judicial panel to reject the defense made by Teguh Santosa and his attorneyes and declared that the indictment has been in line with Article 143 point (2) letter (a) and point (2) letter (b) of the Criminal Regulation Code.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday, September 20, 2006, to hear a preliminary decision by the judicial panel.