Hundreds demand friends' release

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Some 300 residents of Canduk village rallied in front of the local police station on Monday, demanding the release of 16 of their neighbors who were accused of the murder of a black magic practitioner.

The villagers turned angry after hearing reports that their neighbors were tortured during police questioning.

It was the second rally after the villagers thronged the police office on Sunday morning following the overnight murder of Sunardi. A mob stabbed the 65-year-old with bamboo sticks and drowned him in the river for allegedly practicing black magic.

The residents of the village, located 40 kilometers from here, told the police that Sunardi deserved the death sentence.

Banyumas Police chief Lt. Col. Jhony Hutauruk, after negotiating with six of the people's representatives, said the detention of the 16 suspects would remain in effect, pending completion of the investigation.

The crowd eventually dispersed peacefully. (08/45)