10 murder suspects questioned

TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Police are investigating Wednesday's murder of two alleged kidnappers and rapists at Keramat village hall in Pakuhaji subdistrict.

"Police are interrogating 10 Keramat residents who were allegedly involved in the brutal assault and burning of Agung and Ali Sadikin," Tangerang Police precinct chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto said on Thursday.

Pudji said the killing occurred when Ali, 30, and Agung, 22, were at the village hall at midday on Wednesday attending a peace meeting organized by the village council.

The family of the 17-year old woman who had been allegedly held hostage for 10 days and raped by the two people attended the meeting. Hundreds of curious villagers were also present.

Ali and Agung were accompanied by four members of Tangerang district Military Command -- Chief Sgt. Edy Kriswanto, Chief. Cpl. Susmanto, Chief. Cpl. Sumardjo and Chief. Cpl. Budiman.

The meeting was underway when an angry mob raided the village hall and overwhelmed the two alleged rapists.

The mob caught Ali, who was trying to leave the hall, showered him with kerosene and set him alight. He died on the way to Tangerang Hospital. Using any available weapon they then beat Agung to death.

The four military members successfully fled the site.

Nafis, father of the alleged rape victim, said Agung asked his daughter to go with him on Nov. 4.

"On Nov. 13 my daughter returned home and confessed that she had been raped by Agung and his friends in a house in Cengkareng, West Jakarta," he said.

Nafis said the police arrested Nasan, another alleged rapist on Nov. 15, based on the victim's report .(41/asa)