Alleged serial killer's begins in N. Sumatra

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The Lubuk Pakam District Court in Deli Serdang regency began the trial yesterday of a shaman charged with the murders of 42 women.

Achmad Suraji, who was well-known in his area for his claim to be able to performing spiritual healing and pass on good fortune, told police he killed the women in black magic rituals.

One of his three wives, Tumini, is charged with being an accomplice to the murders. Her trial is due to begin today.

If found guilty, Suraji could face the death penalty.

Tumini, if found guilty, would face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Suraji, who also uses the aliases Datuk Kelewang and Nasib, attended the court session wearing a green shirt, brown pants and sandals.

He sat impassively as he listened to prosecutors T. Simanjuntak, Eddy Nurdin, Sehat Sihombing and Supardin Harahap outlining their case.

The trial was opened by Chief Judge Haogora Harefa and is being conducted under tight security.

About 200 troops and police were deployed to guard the courtroom which was packed with about 100 people.

Outside the courtroom, another 100 people watched the proceedings on three closed-circuit televisions.

Police arrested Suraji on April 28 this year after a woman's body was found buried in the Sei Semayang sugar cane field in Lubuk Pakam. She was last seen alive at his home.

Suraji later told police investigators that he had killed 42 women since 1986 in rituals performed to strengthen his healing powers.

Police have since unearthed all 42 bodies from the field.

They have been identified as Sri Kumala Dewi, Titik, Tukimi, Kartini, Asriani boru Tarigan, Maria, Supiah, Suwarni, Sri Ratna, Farida, Kunyil, Rusmiani, Yanti and others.

Suraji allegedly told police he began his killing spree because his late father contacted him in a dream and ordered him to murder 70 women in black magic rituals.

Suraji confessed to telling the women, who went to him seeking his help, to bring with them flowers, incense and lemons. He said he took them to the sugar cane field at night where he convinced them to let him bury them up to their chests in the ground.

He told police he strangled them and then drank their saliva because he believed it would improve his magic powers.

He then buried the bodies in the field.

One of the 22 lawyers defending Suraji said there were not as many people attending the trial as had been expected.

"The public are not that enthusiastic," said Fauzie Yusuf Hasibuan.

Suraji said earlier he was prepared should he be sentenced to death. (21)