Death sentence on shaman upheld

Death sentence on shaman upheld

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A high court here upheld the death
sentence given out by a lower court against 45-year-old shaman
Ahmad Suradji, alias Datuk, for the premeditated murder of 42
women between 1987 and 1997, Antara reported yesterday.

The death sentence against his 40-year-old wife, Tumini -- his
accomplice in the crimes committed in Deli Serdang 25 kilometers
east of here -- was reduced to life imprisonment.

It was not reported when the execution would take place.

Datuk, who claimed to have killed the women to strengthen his
magical powers, was arrested last year following a father's
report to police that his daughter had disappeared after she went
to the shaman's house for treatment.

Datuk buried all his victims in a cane plantation 40 meters
from his house. (aan)