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Armed men attack Catholic prayer group in Yogyakarta
Dozens of armed people wearing robes allegedly assaulted a group of Catholics while saying the Rosary at a house in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, on Thursday
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ozens of armed people wearing robes allegedly assaulted a group of Catholicswhile saying the Rosary at a house in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, on Thursday.They reportedly beat up the house owner, a journalist and three others.
The house owner, Julius Felicianus, who is the director of the Galang Press publishing house, suffered severe injuries and broken bones while Kompas TV reporter Michael Aryawan also suffered injuries. His camera was also taken by the assailants.
"Julius was attacked by many people until he fell. He was also hit with a
flower pot so hard that it broke his shoulder. He has been treated at Panti
Rapih Hospital since last night," Galang Press deputy director Teguh
Prastowo told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
He explained that Julius was initially at the Galang Press office in Baciro,
Yogyakarta, conducting interfaith prayers with the Yogyakarta Anti-Violence
Community (Makaryo) for a safe presidential election when the attack happened. Julius
then rushed home with two police officers after receiving a phone call from his
son about the attack.
Julius found his house vandalized. Kompas TV journalist Michael Aryawan, who is Julius' neighbor, went to Julius' house after the attack and started filming the aftermath of the attack. While Julius was asking questions of people, the assailants returned and started assaulting him and Michael.
Both Julius and Michael recognized one
of the assailants as one of their neighbors, identified only as KH.
On Friday morning, Michael filed a report with the Yogyakarta Regional Police.
Yogyakarta Regional Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Anny Pujiastuti said KH
had been taken into custody. She said the police were trying to identify
the other assailants and were looking for evidence to find the masterminds and
motive of the attack.
On May 13, Makaryo recorded 18 unresolved cases of sectarian violence in the
province, including one in which the Islamic Jihad Front (FJI) allegedly assaulted
the chairman of the Gunungkidul Interfaith Forum, Aminuddin Azis ,on May
2.(fss/dic)
