Nine arrested as suspects in attack on Bekasi Church-Goers

Jakarta, NU Online
Police have arrested nine suspects behind the recent attack of Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) members in Bekasi, West Java.

"The investigation is still ongoing but nine people we arrested have already been named suspects," Jakarta Metropolitan Police Command chief Inspector General Timur Pradopo said here on Tuesday.<<>;br />
The suspects known by their initials as AF, the leader, DTS, NN, AN, ISN, PN and KA may be charged under Article 351 on violent torture and Article 170 on group torture.

The police are still intensively investigating several other witnesses, including the head of the Islam Defenders` Front (FPI)`s Bekasi distict chapter, he said.

Apart from arresting the person that has stabbed the church members, the police had also confiscated the clothes of the victims, the clothes of the perpetrators, a plank and three motorcycles. The police also had video footage of the incident and autopsy results.

"The knife used by the attacker is still being searched for ," he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Regarding the motive behind it, Timur Pradopo said that the attackers thought that the church members had not abided by the local law prohibiting the holding of a religious service on the location of the incident.

Timur said he would act firmly against the one who had stabbed one of the church-goers based on the law.

Asiah Lumbuan Toruan (49) and pastor Luspida (40) were attacked by unknown persons on Jalan Pondok Timur Asam, Cikeuting, Mustika Jaya, Bekasi, at around 8.45am on Sunday.

Asiah suffered a stab wound on his right abdomen while Luspida suffered a bump on her head.

After the attack the two were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Eight people on motorcycles attacked the two while they were walking towards the location of a religious service. (dar)