Shaman denies 42 murders

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A shaman on trial for the murder of 42 women told a district court here Thursday that he had confessed to the crime because he could not stand being tortured by the police.

Achmad Suradji, alias Datuk, denied the charges of serial murder and said the remains found in a sugarcane plantation near his home in Sei Semayang, Deli Serdang, belonged to members of Gerwani, a women's communist organization banned since 1966.

"The confession I gave to the police was entirely false. It was fabricated. I could not take the torture I was going through during police investigation," Achmad was quoted by Antara as saying.

Achmad stands charged with the murder of 42 women, whose remains were found near his home, between 1986 until the discovery last year.

The trial was adjourned until Monday. (emb)