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Indonesia's Suharto Fails to Appear in Court for Third Time
Former Indonesian president Suharto failed to show up in court for the third consecutive time when his graft trial resumed on Thursday.
Judge Lalu Mariyun, who heads the panel of judges hearing the case against the 79-year-old former dictator, opened the trial at 10:00 am (0300 GMT), with the defendant's chair empty, reporters said.
"We can report that it can now be ascertained that Suharto will not attend this session, even though the prosecutor, in line with the decision of the judges, has officially and legally summonsed him last Friday," Muchtar Arifin, who leads the prosecution team told the court.
"Until this moment, we do not know the reasons for the absence of the defendant," Arifin added.
A doctor from Suharto's private team of physicians, Minarno (Eds: one name) was allowed to read a report of a medical check on the deposed leader made a few hours before the session began.
"The result is that his condition remains the same as the result of examination on September 14," Minarno said.
The session also heard the report of a team of doctors appointed by prosecutors to review the latest medical condition of the former strongman.
Suharto pleaded ill health for his absence at the first two sessions of the trial.
He faces charges of stealing 571 million dollars from the state by allegedly funnelling money from huge tax-free charity foundations he ran into the businesses of family and friends.
Outside the agriculture ministry complex where the trial was held, some 100 activists from several groups, including two political parties, conducted a free-speech forum demanding that Suharto be dragged to court.
The protestors called on authorities to arrest and detain Suharto and demanded that the former army general also be tried on other charges, including on human rights violations.
The forum drew hundreds of onlookers, blocking the street to normal traffic. Security was lax around the area with a few police groups watching from inside the compound.
Budiman Sujatmiko, the chairman of the People's Democratic Party, said that to help the current trial proceed smoothly, Suharto should be arrested and detained.
Sujatmiko also called for Suharto to be tried for gross human rights violations during his 32 years in power.
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has said that he would pardon the former dictator as long as he first stands trial and on condition that he return some of the wealth he allegedly amassed during his rule.
Meanwhile, at least 500 police were deployed around the residence of the deposed leader in anticipation of demonstrations by pro- and anti-Suharto groups, witnesses said.
Some 25 pro-Suharto youths could also be seen standing on guard outside the gate and fence of the residence at the posh Menteng residential quarters in Central Jakarta.
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