Release International

Hundreds of police reinforcements have been sent to the troubled area of Poso, amid continued tension over the execution of three Christians.

Bombs were thrown at churches and civilians attacked during a weekend of violence beginning on September 30. People stayed indoors and shops remained shut.

In one incident a gang of about 20 masked men mounted a road block, flagged down a bus and forced five people to get out. One of the passengers, a Christian, was stabbed in the back before police arrived at the scene, AsiaNews reports.

A group from a Christian area of East Pamona, Poso regency, attacked a police chief superintendent who was visiting a local police base. He was closely involved in the case of the three Christians executed last month and some in the Christian community hold him partly responsible for their deaths.

Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marinus Riwu were shot on September 22, after being convicted of masterminding violence in Central Sulawesi in 2000. Hopes that tensions might now subside may have been dashed by news that the three men had sustained wounds not caused by the firing squad. An autopsy reportedly showed that Fabianus Tibo's body had broken ribs; Dominggus da Silva had been stabbed. Their relatives are demanding a second autopsy.

Pray for a return to peace in an area which has been dogged by interreligious violence for years. Pray that Muslim moderates would stand up for this peace and against efforts by extremists to shatter it.

Ask God to comfort the relatives and friends of the three executed Christians as they continue their search for justice.

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