APSN | Yogyakarta pastor, whose church was wrecked by hard-liners, named suspect

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Yogyakarta pastor, whose church was wrecked by hard-liners, named suspect

Jakarta Globe - June 17, 2014

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Camelia Pasandaran, Jakarta – Yogyakarta Police have named the pastor of the beleaguered El Shaddai Pentacostal Church a suspect over an alleged building permit violation after an angry mob attacked the building with hammers on a Sunday morning earlier this month, demanding that worship stop because the congregation had not been granted a proper permit – a common argument used by Indonesian hard-line Muslim organizations trying to shut minority groups out of their places of worship.

"He was named as suspect by the Yogyakarta Police last week," interfaith organization Interfidei director Elga Sarapung told the Jakarta Globe on Monday. "Even though he is not detained, it's difficult to understand why police made that decision. I think they just want to make an impression that both sides are guilty."

Nico, the pastor, has been charged under article 70 of Indonesia's urban planning law, which could carry up to three years in prison and a Rp 500 million ($42,305) fine.

The church, with a congregation of 250, stood for twenty years without a permit. Church secretary Adi Sukaja told the Jakarta Globe that the church had applied for a permit without success.

On Jun. 1, the church was attacked by members of Yogyakarta Islamic People's Forum (FUI Yogyakarta) after a Sunday service, which was shortened at the request of police. No one was injured, but the building was damaged substantially after attackers smashed windows and doors with hammers as police looked on.

Last week, police charged Turmudzi, a local cleric, with destruction of property. He could face up to five and a half years in prison. He has not been taken into custody.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/yogyakarta-pastor-whose-church-wrecked-hardliners-named-suspect-permit-violations/.