26 skeletons found so far

26 skeletons found so far

MEDAN: Police officers have found 26 skeletons of people
believed to be the victims of shaman Ahmad Suraji, alias Nasib
Kelewang alias Datuk, who lives in Sei Semayang village, Deli
Serdang regency.

The latest excavation of skeletons from a sugarcane field was
carried out Thursday, Antara reported yesterday.

The officers, in cooperation with local residents, found the
last skeleton buried more than two meters deep.

The head was separated from the skeleton.

The shaman claims he killed 42 women but planned to kill 70.
He said he was ready for the death penalty.

According to the 45-year-old shaman, all of his victims were
his patients. He said he killed the women, many of whom were
prostitutes, to preserve the supernatural powers he inherited
from his father.

The forensic expert in charge of examining the skeletons, Dr.
Amar Singh, said Thursday that most of the skeletons were of
females.

"A general examination has been conducted since Wednesday to
determine their sex, age as well as signs of assault," Singh
said.

Reports said Datuk had been given a psychiatric test at the
Pirngadi Hospital in Medan. The results have yet to be made
public.

The hospital's vice director, Dr. Dallan K. Keliat, said the
results would only be made available to the police and the court.
(sur)