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)