Indonesian Police Interrogate Briton

Indonesian police yesterday began their formal interrogation of a British academic and her American travelling companion arrested over claims of abusing their tourist visas in Aceh, a separatist conflict zone.

The British embassy made formal representations to the police in the capital Jakarta about the way Lesley McCulloch, 40, from Dunone, Strathclyde, had been denied access to lawyers and kept in secret locations since being apprehended on September 10.

Their fate remains uncertain as Indonesian officials are giving contradictory statements on what would be the best outcome. Some say it would be best to deport the women while others want them tried.

The head of Aceh's legal aid office, Mr Rufriadi, who is representing Ms McCulloch and US nurse Joy Lee Sadler, 57, said the questioning lasted from 10.30am until 5pm.

"They repeatedly asked Lesley and Joy what they were doing in south Aceh on tourist visas and why they had photographs of separatist activities with them," he said, adding that his clients were recovering their strength after their week-long ordeal of unofficial detention and alleged abuse.

Ms McCulloch claimed they were threatened, sexually harassed, beaten, deprived sleep and denied access to a phone.

Mr Rufriadi said the formal interrogation would take three or four days."However, anything could happen," he said. "We will help them for as long as is necessary."

A police spokesman, assistant commander Taufik Sugiono, said the women had been cooperative. "There have been no problems so far. They have talked a great deal."

Both women were visited by representatives from their embassies yesterday. A British embassy spokeswoman in Jakarta, Eleanor Kiloh, said the embassy complained yesterday about the Acehnese police's actions in the first week of detention.

"The problem is that she was moved around and denied access to a phone," she said. "Our consul general met with the national police to discuss the treatment she received and the lack of access to her."

The national police spokesman, Major General Saleh Saaf said yesterday the simplest solution to the case would be to deport the women. But the army commander, General Ryami-zard Ryacudu, has said they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This could mean up to five years imprisonment and a 25 million rupiah (£1,800) fine.

Senior security minister Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono said no decision should be taken until after the police investigation.