Sect followers get day in court

Sect followers get day in court

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Prosecutors are preparing multiple charges against 11 followers of the Madi Islamic sect in Central Sulawesi for allegedly attacking police during a raid by the officers in October.

Prosecutor I Putu Djeladha said here on Tuesday the defendants would be charged under the Criminal Code and Emergency Law No. 12/1951 for illegally possessing firearms, sharp weapons and explosives.

"We have prepared three lawsuits against them, with each defendant to face charges based on their crimes -- illegal possession of firearms, assault, manslaughter and premeditated murders," he said.

Putu said the South Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office will file the lawsuits with the Palu District Court by the middle of January.

Five people were killed when Madi followers attacked police in a hilly area near Palu on Oct. 25. The dead were three policemen and two Mahdi members.

Police and soldiers are still hunting for the sect leader, Madi, who escaped the raid into the Gawalise jungle. -- Antara