An Indonesian court yesterday ruled that former president Suharto was too ill to stand trial for corruption, all but ending efforts to punish him for abuses by his army-backed regime.
In a decision that triggered street clashes and raised fears of further violence following a spate of bombings that have coincided with the case, the court also lifted Gen Suharto's city arrest order, allowing him to travel anywhere.
The trial was seen as a test of the government's commitment to punish those responsible for widespread corruption and human rights abuses during Gen Suharto's 32-year rule.
Independent doctors told the south Jakarta court that the 79-year-old former president, who has suffered three strokes since stepping down in 1998, was mentally and physically unfit to stand trial. On the streets of Jakarta, the reaction was quick, as troops fired warning shots above the heads of scores of outraged students making for Gen Suharto's luxury home in the city centre. Earlier, at least 10 students and residents were beaten by police near the court after throwing Molotov cocktails at security forces.
Riot police later fired tear gas as protesters clashed with Suharto loyalists. Some of the pro-Suharto group said they were paid to attend.
Gen Suharto, who called himself the "father of development", had been charged with embezzling $550 million from charities he controlled.
Although he will now go free, his favourite son, Mr Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, is likely to be jailed on Monday over an $11 million land fraud.