Three suspects in Palu bombing grilled

Erik W., The Jakarta Post, Palu

Central Sulawesi Police are still investigating three suspects in connection with the bombing of four churches in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on New Year's Eve, says a local police official.

Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak, chief of the provincial police, said here on Friday that Yon, one of the three suspects, was one of those who signed the Malino Declaration early last December.

"The suspect knows me and met with me in Malino where the declaration was signed by Poso's warring factions," he said.

Zainal said the other two suspects were identified as An and Mu and all three were undergoing intensive questioning at Palu City Police station.

He said it would bring shame on Poso's Muslims and Yon, an employee of the local infrastructure office, should they be found guilty of being involved in the church bombings.

He said that besides the three, the police were also investigating three other witnesses and in particular DD, who would likely be held as a suspect because he appeared from some bushes near one of the churches after a bomb had exploded there.

Asked about the motives behind the bombing, Zainal said the suspects were trying to provoke conflict between religious communities in the province.

"The police will investigate the church bombings thoroughly and will seek all those who masterminded them.

Makassar Police in South Sulawesi also foiled the shipment of two units of illegal guns and grenade equipment to restive Poso on Thursday in an apparent attempt to spoil the Malino peace agreement.

Zainal said he was optimistic the situation in Poso would gradually return to normal as the warring factions had surrendered around 4,000 guns to the local police.