[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Dec. 15


EGYPT:

Indonesian Citizen Escapes Death Sentence in Egypt


Jakarta:Darman Agustri (33), an Indonesian tried in a Cairo court in Egypt
for having murdered a Malaysian family last year, has escaped the death
sentence.

"The court has reviewed its decision to impose a death sentence on
Agustri," said Thamrin, a spokesperson from the Indonesian department of
foreign affairs in Jakarta on Wednesday night (14/12).

Agustri was alleged to have committed the pre-meditated murder of a
Malaysian family on October 15, 2004, in Cairo.

The murder is assumed to have been linked to business problems between
Agustri and the victims' family.

According to Thamrin, Agustris lawyer Amr Ahmed Abdel Hamed Yousef
requested the judges to re-consider the death sentence during each of 4
trials.

"Thank God, these efforts were successful," stated Thamrin.

In addition to convincing the judges, Thamrin said that the victims family
has forgiven Agustri for his crime.

"I received information from the Malaysian Embassy that the family of the
victims has forgiven Agustri," stated Thamrin.

(source: Raden Rachmadi-Tempo News Room)