Situbondo rioters to stand trial

SITUBONDO, East Java: Police have submitted to the prosecutors' office the results of their questioning of 54 people suspected of rioting on Oct. 10.

"We expect the trials will begin soon," East Java police command chief Maj. Gen. Soemarsono said, reported Antara yesterday.

All the suspects are currently detained at Situbondo police headquarters.

They were among the thousands of people who ran amok outside a Situbondo court after hearing that the prosecution had only demanded a five year jail sentence for a Moslem tried on charges of blasphemy. The mob considered the sentence too lenient.

Churches, Christian schools and the court building were burned down and vandalized during the riot.

The accused, 28-year-old Saleh, was sentenced to five years jail Monday. (pan)