JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (December 30, 2000 – The Jakarta Post/Kabar-Irian)---After about a month under Irian Jaya police custody, five pro-independence leaders of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) were moved from the Jayapura police cell to Abepura Penitentiary on Friday.
They were transported in a car heavily guarded by police officers to the penitentiary, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Jayapura Police Headquarters.
According to Syamsul Alam, the acting head of the Jayapura Prosecutors' Office, Theys Hiyo Eluay, Thaha Al Hamid, Rev. Herman Awom, Don Flassy and Jhon Mambor are now under the charge of the Prosecutors' Office, meaning that the legal process was developing.
Theys, PDP chief, was arrested in November for allegedly provoking people in the province to rally to commemorate Papuan independence.
Thaha Al Hamid, PDP secretary general who is also a Muslim leader, was arrested on similar charges in November.
Rev. Herman Awom, Don Flassy and...