Indonesian Church Attack Case a Step Closer to Trial
By Joseph C. DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Worthy News)– The 13 suspects in the September attack on two leaders of the Batak Christian Protestant Church will now go on trial after police gave their completed case files to the prosecution.
The prosecutors’ office declared that everything it received was in complete order.
In addition to handing over the files and evidence, police also turned-over custody of all the suspects, including the suspended leader of the Islamic Defenders Front in Bekasi, Murhali Barda. However, police were criticized for failing to arrest more members of the FPI, which many believe was responsible for the September attack as well as for threats against the congregation in a campaign of intimidation that began back in in January.
Asia Sihombing and the Rev. Luspida Simandjuntak, leaders of the Batak Church, were attacked on their way to a vacant lot in Ciketing where the congregation was holding services after officials sealed off their church building.
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