Release International

Seventeen Christians have gone on trial for murder -- amid mounting concern that the Indonesian judiciary is softer on Muslims.

In two separate hearings, groups of 12 and five Christians have appeared in court, accused of involvement in the murder of two Muslims in mob riots in Central Sulawesi last September. The unrest followed the hugely controversial execution of three Christians convicted of masterminding sectarian violence in 2000.

The 17 men are accused of setting up roadblocks in Poso, dragging two Muslim fishtraders from their truck and killing them. They are charged under anti-terrorism laws, which carry a maximum penalty of death.

It is not yet known how the defendants will plead. However, the defence team told Compass Direct that it intends to argue that the use of anti-terrorism laws is 'inappropriate'.

Indeed, there is mounting disquiet that the Indonesian authorities are being disproportionately tough on Christians. The trial, which began on April 2, follows hot on the heels of the conviction of three Islamist militants who beheaded Christian schoolgirls in Poso in 2005. They were given comparatively lenient sentences ranging from 14 to 20 years, because they had 'shown remorse' (see 7x7, April 3).

Campaigners insist that the case against the three Christians executed last September -- Tibo, Riwu and da Silva -- was much less clear-cut than that against these three militants.

• Pray that justice will be done and be seen to be done in the case of these 17 Christians.
• Pray for more grassroots movements which are aimed at creating unity and understanding between Christians and Muslims in Central Sulawesi.

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