Fitraya Ramadhanny, Jakarta – Dissatisfied with the court’s decision to sentence Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto to 14 years jail, around 200 activist from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) have urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to try the mastermind behind the murder of human rights activist Munir.

The demonstrators spread out in front of the State Palace on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara in Central Jakarta at around 1.30pm on Tuesday December 20.

In a speech, Kontras coordinator Usman Hamid said that the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) is deeply involved in the Munir case and he hopes therefore that the investigation will not end with Pollycarpus. The government is being asked to uncover the real mastermind behind the murder.

“The president must bring in and try the mastermind of Munir’s murder and the Munir TPF [Fact Finding Team] must continue their work”, he said passionately.

Most of the demonstrators were victims of the May 1998 violence, the Bojong incinerator case and so on. Some of the demonstrators wore T-shirts with Munir’s picture and headbands with the writing “human rights”. Others brought banners reading “Try the mastermind of Munir’s murderer”. Poster with pictures of Munir also adorned the demonstration.

It was not just young people that attended – a number of housewives and parents of victims of violence also joined the demonstration shouting “Drag in and try Hendropriyono”. Hendropriyono is the former director of BIN.

Demonstrators were guarded by around 50 police officers. Before holding the action in front of the Palace, they were present at the sentencing of Pollycarpus at the Central Jakarta State Court. Following the hearing, they proceeded to hold a long-march to the State Palace. (umi)

[Translated by James Balowski.]