Five Situbondo residents tried over October riot

JAKARTA (JP): Five people were charged in the Situbondo district court yesterday for their role in the massive riot in the East Java town in October in which five people were killed.

The five accused, all residents of Situbondo, were the first of the 54 people the authorities plan to prosecute in connection with the riot, which shook the peaceful coexistence the Moslems and Christians in the town had previously taken for granted.

The five were charged with arson and destruction to property. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment, Antara reported.

In the October riot, 21 church buildings, five Catholic schools and a Catholic orphanage were razed, as well as a number of government buildings.

The October riot began outside the same court building moments after the government prosecution demanded a five year jail term for a young Moslem charged with defaming the religion. The angry crowd, who had wanted the death sentence, vented their anger initially on government buildings, but later on the churches. A priest and his family were killed, trapped in one of the burning churches.

The five suspects were charged specifically with the destruction of the Santo Paulus Catholic church, a house belonging to a priest, and a jewelry shop.

Antara said the trial attracted many prominent local ulemas, police and military leaders. (emb)