Alleged thief burnt alive

SEMARANG: Hadi Nuralim, 25, was burned alive by Basah village, in Banyumas regency, Central Java, after he was caught trying to steal a motorcycle on Sunday.

Two alleged accomplices, Darsiman and Ratno, were saved from the mob by police. Both are in intensive care at Margono Hospital in Purwokerto.

Antara reported that the three were about to steal a motorcycle belonging to Rojikun. However neighbors discovered them.

Shouts of warning woke up residents who immediately went after the three.

After the three were caught they were taken to a field by hundreds of villagers.

A used tire was splashed with gasoline and placed around Hadi's neck. A match was then ignited and tossed onto Hadi.

Police came minutes later and saved the other two from being burned alive.

Banyumas Police chief Adj. Comm. Imam Basuki regretted the mob's violence.

"We will thoroughly investigate who provoked the mob to take the law into their own hands," he said.