ABC AUSTRALIA, 30/08/2004 21:17:38
Indonesian court jails 12 for attack on Central Sulawesi village
An Indonesian court has jailed 12 Muslims for taking part in an attack on a Christian
village in Central Sulawesi.
The Antara news agency says the court in the provincial capital, Palu, has sentenced
the 12 to terms ranging from two to four years each for involvement in the attack on
the village of Betheleme in October last year.
The attack left at least two people dead, two injured and hundreds homeless from the
destruction of 35 houses.
The defendants told the court the attack was launched on the village because it was
home to three leaders of Christian militias in the area - Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da
Silva and Marinus Riwu.
Tibo, da Silva and Riwu are currently appealing against death sentences for their role
in the bloody sectarian unrest between Christians and Muslims, which has left more
than 1,000 people dead in Central Sulawesi since 2000.
The government brokered a peace deal in December 2001 but sporadic violence
continues.
30/08/2004 21:17:38 | ABC Radio Australia News
©2004 ABC
|
