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.