Train attack victim moved due to fears

JAKARTA (JP): Family members have moved Christianus Budi, the man injured during a fatal attack on his girlfriend on a train, from Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital to a relative's home due to fears for his safety.

His family said Budi's condition was improving although medical treatment was temporarily stopped.

Budi suffered three stab wounds to his chest and stomach during the attack in an executive class car of the Bandung-bound Parahyangan train last Friday morning. Febriana Farida, 22, was killed in the assault. Her attacker was beaten to death by a crowd.

The family member, who declined to be named, said the decision was taken following an incident on Sunday evening when five strangers visited Budi at the hospital.

"They forced their way into the ward to see Budi's condition and claimed that they were his family members." The relative said the men's conduct raised suspicion among others on the ward, including nurses.

"They talked to Budi's brother and were soon involved in a heated argument," he said. Budi's brother asked one of the nurses to call security guards because the men were disturbing others.

Although the men left the ward, the incident was considered a threat to Budi's safety. "That's why starting today, Budi is no longer treated at the hospital," the relative added.

Family members of both Budi and Febriana have given different versions of their relationship. Some said the relationship between Budi, a Roman Catholic, and Febriana, a Muslim, was opposed by their respective parents.

Febriana's father, Madjid Bagus Cahyono, 42, claimed that the couple married last September.

"I was the only one to witness their wedding at the Religious Affairs Office in Setiabudi, South Jakarta," Madjid said, explaining that Budi converted to Islam early last year and adopted a new name, Muhammad Ramadhan.

"I think both families only became aware of their marital status after the incident, because Febriana and Budi were still waiting for the right time to reveal their marriage."

He said the couple lived separately even after their marriage because they wanted to be sure of their families' acceptance.

Madjid dismissed the statement from state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia which said the attack was well-planned.

Separately, Budi's brother discounted the possibility of Budi converting to another religion and marrying without discussing it first with him or his mother in Bandung.

"It is impossible that they were already married, because we often talked to each other, especially about important subjects like marriage," he said. (06)