Shaman denies 42 murders

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)