Jakarta jails nine left-wingers

Nine Indonesian leftists convicted on subversion charges were jailed for up to 13 years yesterday for membership in the small, left-wing People's Democratic Party (PRD).

PRD members arrested in the wake of riots in Jakarta last July had faced possible death sentences under Indonesia's controversial subversion law.

Only three political parties currently campaigning for the general elections on 29 May are legally recognised in Indonesia. PRD chairman Budiman Sudjatmiko, 26, was sentenced to 13 years. Reuters - Jakarta