Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Trial of Papuan independence activist proceeds without witnesses

Posted at 18:25 on 16 September, 2012 UTC

A hearing in the trial of the Papuan independence activist, Buchtar Tabuni, took place today in the Jayapura district court, without the presence of any witnesses.

The leader of the National Committee for West Papua is charged with having allegedly inflicted damage on the Abepura prison where he is currently being held and for exchanging harsh words with prison warders.

Bintang Papua reports that his lawyer Gustaf Kawer saying that there were a number of people who the prosecutor could have summoned to appear in court during the trial but he neglected to call these witnesses.

Mr Tabuni has told the court that he had done everything he possibly could to prevent a crowd of people from inflicting damage in the prison in December 2010.