Vigilantes protest arrest of killers

Vigilantes protest arrest of killers

CILACAP, Central Java: Hundreds of Padangjaya village
residents rallied on Wednesday at the local legislative council
to demand the release eight of their neighbors, who had been
detained last month on charges of killing an alleged thief by
setting him on fire.

All the protesters claimed responsibility in the killing of
Sumardi, a resident of Padangjaya who was accused of various
crimes ranging from theft to resisting a security guard when he
was arrested.

"We come here to demand the release of eight people as they
were not alone in committing the violence. If they are found
guilty, please give them the most lenient punishment," a
representative told council speaker Frans Lukman. (45/lup)