Arsonist under psychiatric watch

Arsonist under psychiatric watch

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Police have requested that experts at the Palembang Mental Hospital evaluate 24-year-old Mardiani who is suspected of setting a fire which razed 23 houses, including her own.

Police chief Capt. Musyafak told Antara that psychiatric evaluation is needed to understand the motif for the arson which took place in the 27 Ilir and 28 Ilir subdistricts.

"If she were normal, she wouldn't have burnt down her own house, too," Musyafak said.

Mardiani, known also as Nani, turned herself in after igniting the fire on Sunday.

Village chief K.A. Hamid said Nani's neighbors were stunned by what Nani had done. "I don't understand, what drove her to do that? She's always involved in various activities here, including leading a choir of local mothers," Hamid said.

Several locals said Nani was recently upset after her uncle, Fauzi, ransacked her home because she could not pay for 1.65 grams of gold he sold her. (swe)