ALEX Manuputty, leader of the Maluku Sovereignty Front, was relaxing at home with his right-hand man Samuel Waileruny in Ambon when the North Jakarta District Court sentenced him to three years in jail for sedition.

The sentence was two years less than that sought by the prosecution. Alex's lawyer Sahara Pangaribuan protested the decision, saying the court had no strong reason to pass sentence in his client's absence. Moreover, he added, Alex