Four arrested in church attacks
Four arrested in church attacks
Evi Mariani, Jakarta
The South Jakarta Police have arrested four suspects in Sunday's
attack on a church and three shop-houses used for religious
services in Pamulang, Tangerang, Banten province, which left
priest Jonathan Wijaya injured.
"We arrested four men on Sunday night who allegedly played a
major role in the vandalism," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr.
Prasetyo said on Monday.
The four suspects, identified as Hamdan, Solihin, Nurjaya and
Dodi, are being detained at the South Jakarta Police station.
They are accused of violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code
on the destruction of property.
The suspects, along with dozens of other people, allegedly
stormed Ellem Church on Jl. R.E. Martadinata in Ciputat,
Tangerang, and three shop-houses in the nearby Mutiara Center
commercial complex in Pondok Cabe, Pamulang.
The three shop-houses were used by different congregations for
religious services.
Carrying sticks, the mob broke into Ellem Church at about 10
a.m., smashing tables, chairs and other furniture. When priest
Jonathan attempted to stop the mob, they beat him. Jonathan
escaped with only minor injuries.
The mob then moved to the Mutiara Center, about a kilometer
from the church. They stormed into the first shop-house where the
Bukit Sion congregation was holding a service. During the attack,
a member of the congregation was assaulted and later had to be
taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
The attackers then targeted the other two shop-houses, where
they caused some physical damage.
Bekasi Police also reported on Monday an attack on a house in
Tambun, Bekasi, that is used for religious services. This attack
took place on Sunday at about 9 p.m.
The police said they had questioned four people over their
possible involvement in the attack on the house in Perum Griya
Asri I in Sumber Jaya subdistrict, Tambun, Bekasi. The house is
reportedly owned by a priest, identified as Simanungkalit.
A witness who asked not to be identified said the attack was
carried out by about 100 people armed with sticks and stones, who
first gathered at a nearby home.
"I heard them and peeped out at them. They were really scary
and savagely stoned the house," the witness was quoted as saying
on Monday by Tempo News Room.
An hour after the attack, the neighbors reported the incident
to subdistrict head Milin Jaya, who ordered local residents to
help guard the housing complex.
As of Monday morning, Simanungkalit could not be reached for
comment.