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	Accused Child Sex Priest Begs against Extradition West Australian April 21, 2008 http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=145&ContentID=69070 A former priest accused of sexually abusing teenage boys in Australia has begged an Indonesian court not to extradite him, saying he's sorry for the "hurt that I have caused the victims". South Jakarta District Court is hearing an extradition request from Australian authorities to return Adelaide-born Charles Alfred Barnett, 66, to South Australia, where the alleged offences took place. Barnett is accused of sexual crimes against six boys in his congregation between 1977 and 1994. The boys were aged between 11 and 16 at the time. "I beg you to pity me," Barnett told the court. "Extradition would not be fair to me. "Your Honour, I sincerely regret the hurt that I have caused the victims and the families," he said, adding he had already "begged for forgiveness". Under questioning, Barnett said he knew the alleged victims, but did "not understand" their allegations. "If I am extradited I will lose my home and everything," he told the court. "I have a home in Indonesia and would be released from custody in Australia with nothing. "If I have already lost my career and good name in Australia and Indonesia, the penalty I have already paid is great. "I humbly beg Your Honour to decide that extradition to Australia would go beyond what is required in justice and allow me to remain in Indonesia and continue my attempt to repay my debt to society." Barnett has been in police custody since his arrest at his house in Depok, Jakarta, in February, following a request from Australian authorities. He has been in Indonesia since the mid 1990s and is currently working as an English language consultant for Indonesian students wanting to study overseas. The court also heard today from three witnesses - Indonesian men whom Barnett had helped with English skills or loans, or employed, although their testimony was rejected by the prosecutor. Student Iin Solihan said Barnett was a "good man" who had paid for his college tuition. Judge Syafrullah Suma will rule on the case on Thursday. Barnett is not facing any charges in Indonesia.
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