Alleged sorcerer beaten, hacked to death

SURABAYA: A resident of Jl. Sawah Pulo, who rumor had it was a practitioner of black magic, was bludgeoned to death by a mob in front of his house.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning at around 2 a.m. The man, H. Mardan, 66, was sleeping at the time, and was awoken by knocking on his front door.

Upon opening the door, a number of people stormed into the house and immediately dragged him outside. He was then beaten and slashed to death in front of his home with machetes and clubs.

A police source said the murder was connected with the death of the victim's neighbor, Murdiah. Murdiah's death was considered unnatural as residents said the old woman's stomach suddenly became inexplicably bloated.

Rumors then started circulating to the effect that Mardan was a practitioner of black magic, and it was these that eventually led to his tragic murder.

Semampir Police chief Adj. Comr. Widodo said three suspects had been arrested by police. They were identified only by their initials as Stn, Sfd and Hkm. The three suspects are being questioned at Semampir police station.-JP