WHAT can we say about the trial of Pollycarpus Budihari Priyantothe man accused of murdering human rights activist Munirwhich starts on Tuesday? Misdirected? Concocted? A trial engineered to free the suspects? Even before it has begun, the initial indications are that the court proceedings, which many hope will reveal the identity of Munirs killer and the organization behind him, will not proceed well at all.

The most important factor is the indic