Shaman arrested for sexual abuse

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a shaman yesterday for sexually abusing a housewife in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Tanah Abang Police Chief Maj. Zulkarnain said Sugiarto, 33, went to apartments in the area on Jan. 13. claiming to be a shaman.

"The suspect told residents he could cure all diseases. He said he could also eliminate sins, small sins and big sins," Zulkarnain said.

He said a housewife, Zubaedah, 31, was interested and asked for Sugiarto's services.

Zulkarnain said Sugiarto asked Zubaedah to go into her bathroom. "The suspect told Zubaedah that to cure her ailments, he had to bathe her."

Zubaedah told police she realized she had been sexually abused when Sugiarto left. "It was like being hypnotized," Zulkarnain quoted the woman as saying.

She reported the suspect to the community head and to the police.

Residents surrounded and beat Sugiarto when he returned to the apartments yesterday before handing him over to police, Zulkarnain said. (jun)