Another Moslem cleric killed by mob in Demak

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): A Moslem cleric was killed by a mob in Demak, Central Java, for being suspected of practicing black magic.

The victim, Suliman, 55, died Monday at about 9:30 p.m. in Tambakroto village, Sayung district.

The incident followed reports of two others being killed by mobs in Demak and in neighboring Grobogan regency on Saturday night.

Suliman reportedly died of various wounds after being stoned and beaten in his home at between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. He died on the way to Sultan Agung Hospital in Semarang.

Demak Police chief Lt.Col. RML Tampubolon said someone had spread rumors that Suliman had made the village head and another resident ill through black magic.

Seven were arrested on charges of attacking Suliman, Tampubolon said, but after questioning only five remained in police detention.

Their neighbors arrived at Demak Police Station in trucks and demanded the release of the suspects on Tuesday morning. The police refused.

Tampubolon deplored the mob killing, saying residents had been told several times they were not to take the law into their own hands. Victims killed related to the killing spree in his jurisdiction now total nine people, Tampubolon said. This includes people suspected of practicing black magic and those suspected of being killers of those said to have witchcraft skills.

It is not clear if Saturday's murder in Demak was included in the toll. "We are ready to bring some of the cases to trial next week," Tampubolon said.

On Saturday in Sampang village, Karangtengah district, Demak, an unidentified man was beaten and torched to death for being suspected of involvement in the killing spree against religious teachers and others suspected of witchcraft.

Since September, the death toll in the killing spree has reached to over 200, mostly in East Java, and remain unexplained.

The two victims in Sampang and Grobogan on Saturday night were reportedly killed because they were suspected of being "ninjas", the term used to refer to killers of many Moslem clerics.

Many people with mental disorders and strangers to the areas have also fallen victim. The man killed in Sampang was considered a stranger. Sampang village head Sukirno said he had tried to prevent the mob attack.

"I cried from shock at seeing the victim being torched," Sukirno said. "I can't understand why people are so emotional; there was no proof the victim had done anything wrong or had killed a kyai (Moslem elder)."

The other casualty on Saturday night was also an unidentified man who was attacked and torched in Kalangludo village, Ngaringan district of Grobogan.

Grobogan Police chief Lt.Col. Cornelis H. said locals became angry when the man did not produce his identity card and did not reply when asked to do so. He lamented the mob killing.

Central Java Police spokesman Lt.Col. Anton Tabah said that so far victims suspected of being "ninjas" had all turned out to be mentally unstable people, thieves "and even decent people".

On Wednesday Antara reported from Cianjur, West Java, that three suspects charged of killing two people who were rumored to be "ninjas" were still being questioned by police. Police said victims, Adam Dimyati, a resident of West Jakarta and Sukarna of Parung, Bogor, were stockbrockers killed by a mob on Wednesday. The killing followed the death of a local ulema, Hanapi, who was thought to have been murdered by "ninjas." (har/anr)