Indonesia (MNN) ― Three Islamic extremists are going to prison for the attacks on four Christian schoolgirls in Indonesia in 2005. Three others were sentenced for acts of terrorism also involving Christians.
Compass Direct News confirmed that Rahman Kalahe was given 19 years, Agus Nur Huhammad was given 14 years, and Yudi Heryanto 10 years after being found guilty of beheading Theresia Morangke and Yarni Samubue, 15, and Alfita Poliwo, 17, in an Oct. 29, 2005, attack.
A fourth girl, Noviana Malewa, then 15, was seriously hurt but survived the machete attack. The crimes were committed in Central Sulawesi province
The men were also punished for the shootings of two high school students and the bombing of a busy New Year's market that killed eight people on Dec 31, 2005.
The courts also applied a harsh anti-terror law and gave four others jail terms ranging from 10 and 18 years for bomb-making and plotting attacks against Christians.
Open Doors USA's minister-at-large Paul Estabrooks says the penalty could bring closure for the Church, but it also raises fears of violence as the Christmas season approaches.
Sectarian violence killed more than 2,000 people between 1998 and 2002 in the province, roughly split between Christians and Muslims. According to Open Doors, Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, with nearly 90 percent of its 235 million people practicing the faith.
Starting in mid-2005, a campaign was begun by militant groups in West Java to force the closure of churches in the area. Dozens of churches have been forced to close while the authorities have done little to protect the Christians.
Open Doors has worked in the region where the attacks occurred. Pray for the safety of the workers as they share the hope of the Gospel.
