January 08, 2012
Amar Abdullah, 38, nearly lost his eyesight in a vicious assault that cost him his livelihood, yet now finds himself awaiting a trial that could seen him sentenced to years in jail.
The case of Amar has attracted some high-level concern, with the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) stepping in to try and prevent what it says would be a miscarriage of justice.
On July 11, Amar was attacked and repeatedly punched by Fenly Mercurius Lumbuun in Kayu Manis, East Jakarta.
Fenly accused Amar of kicking the fence outside his home. Amar acknowledges he did kick the fence, but says he did so after Fenly’s dog launched itself at the gate and began barking at him.
“Amar is the victim of assault yet he has been arrested,” an LPSK spokeswoman, Maharani Siti Sophia, said on Sunday.
“The complaint lodged by Fenly carries less than five years in jail, which by law means that [Amar] did not have to be arrested. Amar is a victim in the case and has the right to claim restitution [from Fenly].”
She said Amar was severely injured when Fenly attacked him with a wooden plank and had lost some use of his right eye.
Amar reported Fenly to the police for assault, while Fenly filed his own complaint against Amar for kicking his fence.
The East Jakarta District Court earlier sentenced Fenly to two and a half years in prison, but a day after the verdict Amar was arrested and detained at Cipinang Penitentiary.
Maharani said the LPSK had met with the police and made clear its objections to the charge against Amar and his detention.
Amar is scheduled to stand trial soon and Maharani said the agency would ask the court to set him free.
Maharani said that since the attack, Amar had been unable to work and earn a living.
“If Amar wants restitution the LPSK will facilitate it,” she said.
Amar, she added, could file a civil suit against Fenly for damages including medical expenses and lost income.
(read in the JG)
( Back to front world if you ask me, siK>)
ma 9 jan 2012 - 2:16