Another Moslem cleric killed by mob in Demak<\/p>\n
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): A Moslem cleric was killed by a
\nmob in Demak, Central Java, for being suspected of practicing
\nblack magic.<\/p>\n
The victim, Suliman, 55, died Monday at about 9:30 p.m. in
\nTambakroto village, Sayung district.<\/p>\n
The incident followed reports of two others being killed by
\nmobs in Demak and in neighboring Grobogan regency on Saturday
\nnight.<\/p>\n
Suliman reportedly died of various wounds after being stoned
\nand beaten in his home at between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. He died on
\nthe way to Sultan Agung Hospital in Semarang.<\/p>\n
Demak Police chief Lt.Col. RML Tampubolon said someone had
\nspread rumors that Suliman had made the village head and another
\nresident ill through black magic.<\/p>\n
Seven were arrested on charges of attacking Suliman,
\nTampubolon said, but after questioning only five remained in
\npolice detention.<\/p>\n
Their neighbors arrived at Demak Police Station in trucks and
\ndemanded the release of the suspects on Tuesday morning. The
\npolice refused.<\/p>\n
Tampubolon deplored the mob killing, saying residents had been
\ntold several times they were not to take the law into their own
\nhands. Victims killed related to the killing spree in his
\njurisdiction now total nine people, Tampubolon said. This
\nincludes people suspected of practicing black magic and those
\nsuspected of being killers of those said to have witchcraft
\nskills.<\/p>\n
It is not clear if Saturday's murder in Demak was included in
\nthe toll. "We are ready to bring some of the cases to trial next
\nweek," Tampubolon said.<\/p>\n
On Saturday in Sampang village, Karangtengah district, Demak,
\nan unidentified man was beaten and torched to death for being
\nsuspected of involvement in the killing spree against religious
\nteachers and others suspected of witchcraft.<\/p>\n
Since September, the death toll in the killing spree has
\nreached to over 200, mostly in East Java, and remain unexplained.<\/p>\n
The two victims in Sampang and Grobogan on Saturday night were
\nreportedly killed because they were suspected of being "ninjas",
\nthe term used to refer to killers of many Moslem clerics.<\/p>\n
Many people with mental disorders and strangers to the areas
\nhave also fallen victim. The man killed in Sampang was considered
\na stranger. Sampang village head Sukirno said he had tried to
\nprevent the mob attack.<\/p>\n
"I cried from shock at seeing the victim being torched,"
\nSukirno said. "I can't understand why people are so emotional;
\nthere was no proof the victim had done anything wrong or had
\nkilled a kyai (Moslem elder)."<\/p>\n
The other casualty on Saturday night was also an unidentified
\nman who was attacked and torched in Kalangludo village, Ngaringan
\ndistrict of Grobogan.<\/p>\n
Grobogan Police chief Lt.Col. Cornelis H. said locals became
\nangry when the man did not produce his identity card and did not
\nreply when asked to do so. He lamented the mob killing.<\/p>\n
Central Java Police spokesman Lt.Col. Anton Tabah said that so
\nfar victims suspected of being "ninjas" had all turned out to be
\nmentally unstable people, thieves "and even decent people".<\/p>\n
On Wednesday Antara reported from Cianjur, West Java, that
\nthree suspects charged of killing two people who were rumored to
\nbe "ninjas" were still being questioned by police. Police said
\nvictims, Adam Dimyati, a resident of West Jakarta and Sukarna of
\nParung, Bogor, were stockbrockers killed by a mob on Wednesday.
\nThe killing followed the death of a local ulema, Hanapi, who was
\nthought to have been murdered by "ninjas." (har\/anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/another-moslem-cleric-killed-by-mob-in-demak-1447893297",
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