Rioters freed from custody

SAMPANG, East Java: Four people arrested for rioting on the May 29 election day were released from police custody Thursday but confined to house arrest, police said yesterday.

The suspects had their arrest status changed due to the intervention of influential Islamic religious leaders Nuruddin A. Rachman and Alawy Muhammad.

Sampang police chief Lt. Col. Hidiyono Adi said the release was also endorsed by East Java police chief Maj. Gen. Soemarsono, who visited Sampang early this week.

"Their (suspects') availability when the authority needs them is guaranteed by Alawy Muhammad," he said as quoted by Antara.

Earlier this week, 20 suspects in the riot had been released from police custody because of the religious leaders' intervention.

The suspects were rounded up when, together with thousands of other United Development Party (PPP) supporters, they attacked public facilities and government buildings after the alleged poll rigging.

They also burned hundreds of ballot boxes and forced the government to repeat voting in 65 polling stations. (pan)