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)