(7 Jun 1998) Natural Sound

Two Indonesian police officers have gone on trial in connection with the fatal shooting of four students during the May protests against the regime of former president Suharto.

Military prosecutors allege the two defendants caused the deaths of the students because they were unable to control their troops during the anti-government rally.

But defence lawyers have said the trial is a hasty, misguided attempt to satisfy public demands for reform.

The trial of First Lieutenant Agus Tri Heryanto and Second Lieutenant Pariyo opened on Saturday in the capital, Jakarta.

In opening remarks, a military prosecutor alleged the two defendants caused the deaths of the students because they had been unable to control their troops.

The officers - both members of the police anti-riot mobile brigade - have been charged with disobeying orders and flouting proper procedures.

Although prosecutors alleged the actions of the officers caused the deaths of the students, they did not file homicide charges.

However, the two policemen are likely to face dismissal and jail time if found guilty.

Their case was adjourned until Tuesday.

The two officers are among 18 policemen who face court martials as the military responds to demands for accountability and democracy under new President Habibie.

It is unknown if the other defendants will be accused of homicide.

Some critics speculate that the students were gunned down on orders from senior military officials, possibly in an attempt to crack down on the near-daily student protests that were growing in size and intensity.

One defence lawyer claimed his clients were being prosecuted to satisfy students and people demanding reform.

The May 12 shootings at Trisakti University in the capital of Jakarta sparked several days of deadly rioting that helped oust former President Suharto.

The four students were killed towards the end of an anti-Suharto protest that spilled from the campus to a main road just outside.

It was the first time that security forces had fired upon students amid weeks of escalating protests against Suharto's government.

Not surprisingly, a crowd of university students had gathered outside the courthouse on Saturday, listening in on the proceedings via loud-speakers.

They held up banners that read: "Put the masterminds of the killings on trial" and "Hey general, why are the defendants just low-ranking officers?"

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