The district court in Palu, Central Sulawesi, has convicted Rev. Rinaldy Damanik of illegal possession of arms and ammunition and sentenced him to three years in prison. He was found guilty of possessing seven unregistered rifles, four guns and 144 rounds of ammunition, found in his possession as he was helping to evacuate people terrorized in the Poso area on August 17, 2002. Damanik was a leader in the Malino peace agreement that formed a foundation for peace in the troubled Poso area of Indonesia. He claims that the police planted the weapons.
According to The Jakarta Post, Damanik's lawyer is urging his client to appeal because of the lack of evidence. Indonesia's foremost legal expert had testified during the trial that Damanik's arrest had been "engineered" by the police and prosecutors to make him a scapegoat. The prosecution's key witness, one of Damanik's drivers, admitted that he had been beaten and forced to sign a statement without reading it. At the end of the trial, Judge Somanada stated that the prosecution had failed to present a cohesive case. Despite this, Damanik expected to be convicted. According to David Mundy from Jubilee Campaign USA, "In a culture infused with saving face, it is nearly impossible that Damanik could be completely acquitted."
Continue to pray for Rev. Damanik as he remains in prison. Pray that truth will take precedence in this case. Pray that the peace for which Damanik struggled will continue.
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