MPR Special Session delays 'ninja' trials
<p>MPR Special Session delays 'ninja' trials</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Police in East Java said the trials of suspected
"ninja" killers and those who have sought retribution, planned
for this week, would be postponed until after the conclusion of
the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
on Nov. 13.</p><p>Besuki Police chief Col. Budi Utomo -- who oversees the East
Java town of Banyuwangi where a series of murders of Moslem
preachers and alleged witchcraft practitioners began about three
months ago -- was quoted by Antara as saying in Jember on Tuesday
that possible security disturbances was the reason for the
postponement.</p><p>However, "the authorities will not prepare special security
measures for the trials which it can be expected will attract
many people," Budi said, adding that the trial would be treated
just like any other criminal trial.</p><p>Speaking to reporters in the presence of Jember police chief
Lt. Col. A. Madjid Tawil, Budi said the first trial would involve
six suspects. His officers have submitted a total of 52 dossiers
on suspected killers to the prosecutor's office.</p><p>He said the police had completed investigations at 64 crime
scenes where murders took place in the Banyuwangi regency. There
were a total of 87 crime scenes, he added, and said Banyuwangi
police had detained more than 230 people.</p><p>Budi said Banyuwangi -- which after the attacks began turned
into a ghost town gripped by fear, leaving the economy paralyzed
-- had returned to normal. He said people had resumed religious
activities such as attending services at mosques.</p><p>"Beforehand, the police even had to safeguard gatherings to
read the Koran. Now people can hold recitals by themselves. There
are nine places which so far have become free from terror, but
we're still safeguarding them (as a precaution)," he said.</p><p>Almost 200 people have been killed in an outburst of violence
over the past three months in East Java towns. The killings --
initially perpetrated by "ninjas" who wore dark clothing and
masks in the fashion of Japanese assassins -- originated in
Banyuwangi but later spread to other towns, including in Central
and West Java.</p><p>Residents, gripped by fear, struck back and started to attack
anyone they suspected of being a "ninja". In many cases, the
vigilante murders were equally or even more brutal than those
committed by the masked marauding groups.</p><p>The Armed Forces and police have dismissed criticism that they
were too sluggish in responding to the murders. Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto said that conflicts in the political elite
were behind the murder spree.</p><p>Antara quoted East Java Governor Imam Utomo as saying on
Monday that a total of 1,663 people have been arrested in
connection with the killing spree.</p><p>The news agency also reported that terror toward Moslem
preachers was continuing in various areas, including the Central
Sulawesi capital of Palu. The security forces in Aceh and South
Sumatra have promised to protect local residents, including
preachers. (swe)</p>
"ninja" killers and those who have sought retribution, planned
for this week, would be postponed until after the conclusion of
the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
on Nov. 13.</p><p>Besuki Police chief Col. Budi Utomo -- who oversees the East
Java town of Banyuwangi where a series of murders of Moslem
preachers and alleged witchcraft practitioners began about three
months ago -- was quoted by Antara as saying in Jember on Tuesday
that possible security disturbances was the reason for the
postponement.</p><p>However, "the authorities will not prepare special security
measures for the trials which it can be expected will attract
many people," Budi said, adding that the trial would be treated
just like any other criminal trial.</p><p>Speaking to reporters in the presence of Jember police chief
Lt. Col. A. Madjid Tawil, Budi said the first trial would involve
six suspects. His officers have submitted a total of 52 dossiers
on suspected killers to the prosecutor's office.</p><p>He said the police had completed investigations at 64 crime
scenes where murders took place in the Banyuwangi regency. There
were a total of 87 crime scenes, he added, and said Banyuwangi
police had detained more than 230 people.</p><p>Budi said Banyuwangi -- which after the attacks began turned
into a ghost town gripped by fear, leaving the economy paralyzed
-- had returned to normal. He said people had resumed religious
activities such as attending services at mosques.</p><p>"Beforehand, the police even had to safeguard gatherings to
read the Koran. Now people can hold recitals by themselves. There
are nine places which so far have become free from terror, but
we're still safeguarding them (as a precaution)," he said.</p><p>Almost 200 people have been killed in an outburst of violence
over the past three months in East Java towns. The killings --
initially perpetrated by "ninjas" who wore dark clothing and
masks in the fashion of Japanese assassins -- originated in
Banyuwangi but later spread to other towns, including in Central
and West Java.</p><p>Residents, gripped by fear, struck back and started to attack
anyone they suspected of being a "ninja". In many cases, the
vigilante murders were equally or even more brutal than those
committed by the masked marauding groups.</p><p>The Armed Forces and police have dismissed criticism that they
were too sluggish in responding to the murders. Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto said that conflicts in the political elite
were behind the murder spree.</p><p>Antara quoted East Java Governor Imam Utomo as saying on
Monday that a total of 1,663 people have been arrested in
connection with the killing spree.</p><p>The news agency also reported that terror toward Moslem
preachers was continuing in various areas, including the Central
Sulawesi capital of Palu. The security forces in Aceh and South
Sumatra have promised to protect local residents, including
preachers. (swe)</p>