Witnesses testify of violence against priest
The Jakarta Post, Bekasi | Tue, 01/04/2011 10:13 AM
Witnesses in the trial of the Bekasi leader of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and members of the organization testified on Monday that the defendants committed violence against a Christian minister.
Bekasi Police First Brig. Galih Dwi Setiawan told the Bekasi District Court that the defendants assaulted the Huria Christian Bataks Church minister Rev. Luspida Simanjuntak, hitting him with a bamboo stick.
“One member of the group hit Luspida with a bamboo stick or a log and I heard him screaming in pain,” Galih told the court.
Seven witnesses testified in the Monday court proceedings.
Twelve members of FPI and its Bekasi leader, Murhali Barda, stood trial for allegedly assaulting the victim.
Prosecutors have sought a seven-year jail term for the defendants. More than 200 FPI members turned up at the Bekasi District Court to show support for defendants.
