Five arrested on rape charges

JAKARTA (JP): The police have arrested five of the seven men who allegedly raped a girl in an empty house in Pejaten Timur, Pasar Minggu district, South Jakarta.

South Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Sisno Adiwinoto said the police acted swiftly after receiving a report from the victim, Rita, 18, on Wednesday night. They apprehended five of the seven suspects, all of whom are Metromini bus drivers.

He said the five were identified as Paulus Panggaribuan, 26, Salinal Lumbantoruan, 23, Johnson Situmorang, 26, Bilman Simanjuntak, 27, and Charlie Siregar, 35.

"We are still searching for the other two suspects, Purba Jorok and Bilap," Sisno said yesterday.

He said that during intensive interrogation, the men had admitted to raping Rita.

Rita, who appeared wary and under great stress told police yesterday that she was raped by seven men on Saturday night. "I then became unconscious," she said.

She said she was helped by a stall owner who suggested that she immediately report the case to the police.

Rita said she and her friend, Leni, arrived from Palembang, South Sumatra, on Saturday afternoon to look for a job in Jakarta.

Leni later left her alone at Pasar Kapuk bus terminal in West Jakarta, leaving her confused as to where to stay, as it was the first time that she had visited the capital.

Rita then boarded a bus that took her to the Pasar Minggu bus Terminal. Upon disembarking from the bus, she was approached by seven men who asked her to follow them to an empty house. She then followed the men to the house, where she was brutally gang raped. (04)