Pickpocket mobbed during rally

JAKARTA (JP): Police on duty at the House of Representatives compound arrested on Monday a man for allegedly stealing the wallet of an Abdurrahman Wahid's supporter who was joining a rally in support of the embattled President.

The suspect, who was identified as Selamet, 31, was badly beaten when the police took him from a group of Abdurrahman's supporters, Antara reported.

Selamet was caught red-handed attempting the theft as he joined hundreds of demonstrators in the rally in front of the House compound.

Police came to his rescue as the demonstrators were beating up the suspect. The angry demonstrators kept on attacking the hapless pickpocket as police took him to a security post inside the House compound for questioning.