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Youth Gets Three Months’ Jail for Brutal Ahmadiyah Attack
Jakarta Globe | July 28, 2011
Indonesian Police are putting on a massive display of force as the trials of 10 defendants charged in the brutal violence against members of the minority Ahmadiyah religion in Banten conclude with the verdicts on Thursday morning.
One verdict has already been passed, with one youth, Dani bin Misra, 17, being jailed for three months. Dani is the teenager made infamous when a video of him striking one of the Ahmadis in the head with a large stone as he lay on the ground was broadcast around the world.
He was found guilty of assault, public incitement, property destruction and an attack that caused death, according to Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch.
Considering the amount of time already served, Dani should walk of jail any day.
Police in the provincial capital Serang said 1,200 officers had been deployed both in and outside the court “to anticipate unwanted things.”
Serang Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Krisnandi told the Jakarta Globe that three layers of security had been applied.
“Officers are deployed inside the courtroom, the court parking lot and the street in front of it,” Krisnandi said.
Police snipers were also in position, he said.
Police are concerned that violence will erupt if supporters of the defendants are unhappy with the verdicts.
The defendants, charged with crimes ranging from provoking violence to assault, received sentence demands in the five to seven-month range — far below the maximum of six years for the lesser charge of provocation.
Prosecutors have said the sentencing requests were light because they believe the group of 25 Ahmadis played a part in provoking the attack in Cikeusik on Feb. 6.
Three Ahmadis were killed in the attack by an enraged mob who believe Ahmadis are members of a deviant sect. Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims.
The attacks — and other religious-based violence — have brought international condemnation and concerns that many in Indonesia are becoming more and more intolerant.
One verdict has already been passed, with one youth, Dani bin Misra, 17, being jailed for three months. Dani is the teenager made infamous when a video of him striking one of the Ahmadis in the head with a large stone as he lay on the ground was broadcast around the world.
He was found guilty of assault, public incitement, property destruction and an attack that caused death, according to Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch.
Considering the amount of time already served, Dani should walk of jail any day.
Police in the provincial capital Serang said 1,200 officers had been deployed both in and outside the court “to anticipate unwanted things.”
Serang Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Krisnandi told the Jakarta Globe that three layers of security had been applied.
“Officers are deployed inside the courtroom, the court parking lot and the street in front of it,” Krisnandi said.
Police snipers were also in position, he said.
Police are concerned that violence will erupt if supporters of the defendants are unhappy with the verdicts.
The defendants, charged with crimes ranging from provoking violence to assault, received sentence demands in the five to seven-month range — far below the maximum of six years for the lesser charge of provocation.
Prosecutors have said the sentencing requests were light because they believe the group of 25 Ahmadis played a part in provoking the attack in Cikeusik on Feb. 6.
Three Ahmadis were killed in the attack by an enraged mob who believe Ahmadis are members of a deviant sect. Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims.
The attacks — and other religious-based violence — have brought international condemnation and concerns that many in Indonesia are becoming more and more intolerant.
Copyright 2010 The Jakarta Globe
URL: www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/youth-gets.../455728
URL: www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/youth-gets.../455728
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