Tests concluded on aborted fetuses

JAKARTA (JP): A forensic expert at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital confirmed on Wednesday that the remains of 54 fetuses recently dug up in a village were human bones, confirming public opinion that illegal abortions were carried out in the village.

The expert, Budi Sampurno, said examination of the bones revealed that eight were from aborted two-month old fetuses, while the remaining 46 were from three to eight-month old fetuses.

"Some of them were aborted one or two months ago," Budi said, adding that the examination was carried out by four other doctors, all of whom agreed they were human bones.

The grisly remains were found last week in Lebak, a West Java village. Police later arrested a woman faith healer, who villagers alleged had helped dozens of women in the village with abortions.

Conducting and assisting at an abortion is a crime in Indonesia and carries a maximum five-year jail term. (04)