Rioters freed from custody

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)