Situbondo rioters to stand trial

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)