Man killed by mob at car expo

JAKARTA (JP): A man was beaten to death by a mob at an automotive exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center, police reported.

The Tanah Abang police precinct reported that Asril Bachtiar, 28, had serious head injuries when he was taken to hospital over the weekend.

Budi, a relative of the victim, said he was told by police that Asril had attempted to steal a handbag but was caught by visitors to the exhibition.

"People hit him until he was unconscious," said Budi, adding that Asril died on the way to the Hospital of Cipto Mangunkusumo.

According to Budi, he and other relatives did not know that Asril, who is a resident of Palembang, South Sumatra, had been in Jakarta for four days before the incident occurred.

"He did not tell us about his arrival, we heard about it only after he was dead," Budi said. (01)