ABC AUSTRALIA, 21/07/2004 02:01:31
Sulawesi church attack 'calm and professional'
Indonesian police are hunting a gunman described as "calm and professional",
following the murder of a woman priest in a packed church in Central Sulawesi
province.
The attack in Palu town on Sunday was the latest in a series by suspected Islamic
extremists on Christian targets in the province.
Witnesses to the attack at the Effata Presbyterian church described the killer, who
sprayed the congregation with gunfire during the evening service, as well trained and
unhurried.
A female priest Susianti Tinulele, who was giving a sermon, was shot in the head and
died instantly.
Officials say the aim of the attack was to trigger off a new round of Muslim-Christian
battles. Up to 1,000 people died in sectarian violence in parts of the province between
2000 and 2001.
21/07/2004 02:01:31 | ABC Radio Australia News
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