Fury as Suharto corruption charges dismissed
ANGRY protesters took to the streets in Jakarta yesterday after an Indonesian court dismissed all charges against ex dictator Suharto.
His corruption trial was abandoned after doctors found him too sick to face charges he embezzled millions in public funds.
The decision of the five judge panel ends attempts by pro democracy reformers to punish the former president for allegedly abusing power during his 32 year reign.
He was accused of stealing almost $600 million before protests drove him from power in 1998.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets, fighting with police and groups of pro Suharto supporters. A bus and several motorcycles were set alight. Demonstrators threw rocks and gasoline bombs at officers.
Witnesses described how officers fired a tear gas gun at one protester’s head at close range and then beat him with sticks.
‘‘The doctors are all lying,’’ Zul Sikri, a demonstrator, said. ‘‘Suharto must go to jail and we will keep protesting until that happens.’’
The decision is likely to be considered a major setback to efforts by the country’s year old reformist government to end corruption and roll back Suharto’s legacy of authoritarianism. It also immediately freed him from house arrest.
‘‘God is great. Long live Suharto,’’ one of his jubilant supporters cried out in the heavily guarded courtroom.
For the most part, the decision was greeted by the several hundred spectators in the courtroom with stunned silence.
Earlier, a team of 23 court appointed doctors said three recent strokes had left 79 year old Suharto mentally incapable of withstanding a long court case. Prosecutors said immediately that they would appeal.
© Irish Examiner, 2000