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	Ex Priest Extradition May Take Months Herald Sun April 24, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23592195-5005961,00.html THE extradition of a former priest to Australia to face sex charges could take months, despite an Indonesian court approving the process today, his lawyer says. The 66-year-old will be returned to Australia where he is accused of sexual offences against six boys between 1977 and 1994, South Jakarta District Court ruled today. Police allege he sexually abused the boys, then aged between 11 and 16. "The prosecutor's request ... is in accordance with law and should be granted," Judge Syafrullah Suma said, after hearing the extradition request made on behalf of Australian authorities. While the man and his witnesses had testified that he was a "well-behaved citizen," the judge said he saw no reason not to allow the extradition. Mr Suma said the man's passport and immigration documents would be held by Indonesian authorities until his extradition. The Australian-born man was taken into police custody at his Jakarta home in February, following a request from the Australian government. He is not facing any charges in Indonesia. Earlier this week, he begged the court to refuse the extradition on "humanitarian" grounds, as he would lose his Indonesian home if sent to Australia. He told the court he was sorry for the "hurt that I have caused the victims," but also said he did not understand why the allegations were being made. The man has lived in Indonesia since the mid 1990s helping Indonesian students wishing to study overseas. Outside the court, prosecutor Sigit J Pribadi said the case would now be handed over to the justice ministry, and finally to the President's office for a formal decree of extradition. He said the court approval was just the first step in the extradition process. "We will (need to) wait for the presidential decree later," he said. The man's lawyer said his client likely faced many more months in detention in Indonesia. "We accept this decision," lawyer Bernard Pifaona said. "We are just waiting to find out when he will be extradited. "It could be five, it could be six months, it could be one year. We will just wait (and see)." An official at the justice ministry said there was no time limit on when the extradition must occur. "We are still formulating the regulations (for the extradition), but it shouldn't be years," the official said. "While we are waiting for the execution of the extradition, (he) will still be in state detention ... which will be formally extended every 30 days."
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