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Indonesia beheadings trial opens | Indonesia beheadings trial opens |
(20 minutes later) | |
A Muslim man has gone on trial in Jakarta over the beheading of three Christian schoolgirls in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. | A Muslim man has gone on trial in Jakarta over the beheading of three Christian schoolgirls in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. |
Hasanuddin is the first of three suspects to face trial over the October 2005 killings, which shocked Indonesia. | Hasanuddin is the first of three suspects to face trial over the October 2005 killings, which shocked Indonesia. |
All three men could be sentenced to death if found guilty. | All three men could be sentenced to death if found guilty. |
The murders threatened to reignite violence between Sulawesi's Muslims and Christians, which has continued despite a 2002 peace deal. | The murders threatened to reignite violence between Sulawesi's Muslims and Christians, which has continued despite a 2002 peace deal. |
Tensions have risen in recent weeks following the execution of three Christian militants in September, for attacks against Muslims in 2000. | Tensions have risen in recent weeks following the execution of three Christian militants in September, for attacks against Muslims in 2000. |
Religious motive? | Religious motive? |
Hasanuddin said nothing as he arrived in the packed courtroom, according to the BBC's correspondent in Jakarta, Lucy Williamson. | Hasanuddin said nothing as he arrived in the packed courtroom, according to the BBC's correspondent in Jakarta, Lucy Williamson. |
VIOLENT PAST Previously known as Celebes, Sulawesi is Indonesia's fourth largest island80% of residents are Muslim, while 17% are ChristianA December 1998 brawl in Poso led to months of religious violence in which hundreds died Flashpoint Sulawesi | VIOLENT PAST Previously known as Celebes, Sulawesi is Indonesia's fourth largest island80% of residents are Muslim, while 17% are ChristianA December 1998 brawl in Poso led to months of religious violence in which hundreds died Flashpoint Sulawesi |
He faces charges of premeditated murder and carrying out acts of terrorism, she says. | He faces charges of premeditated murder and carrying out acts of terrorism, she says. |
Prosecutors accused him of masterminding the attack, though they said the actual perpetrators remained at large. | Prosecutors accused him of masterminding the attack, though they said the actual perpetrators remained at large. |
They said Hasanuddin, who had attended a militant training camp in the Southern Philippines, planned the attack as retaliation for the killing - by a Christian mob - of Muslims at a school in 2000. | They said Hasanuddin, who had attended a militant training camp in the Southern Philippines, planned the attack as retaliation for the killing - by a Christian mob - of Muslims at a school in 2000. |
Hasanuddin's lawyer, Achmad Michdan, told reporters outside the court that his client denied being the perpetrator and had merely been asked for advice, Reuters news agency reported. | |
The three schoolgirls were beheaded as they walked to the private Christian school near their home in the town of Poso, in central Sulawesi. | The three schoolgirls were beheaded as they walked to the private Christian school near their home in the town of Poso, in central Sulawesi. |
One of their heads was discovered outside a church, adding to the suspicion the murders were religiously motivated. | One of their heads was discovered outside a church, adding to the suspicion the murders were religiously motivated. |
The trial is being held in Jakarta for security reasons. | The trial is being held in Jakarta for security reasons. |
Sulawesi has long been the scene of violent attacks between Christians and Muslims. | Sulawesi has long been the scene of violent attacks between Christians and Muslims. |
More than 1,000 people are believed to have been killed during two years of violence triggered by a brawl between Christian and Muslim gangs in December 1998. | More than 1,000 people are believed to have been killed during two years of violence triggered by a brawl between Christian and Muslim gangs in December 1998. |
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, but Christianity is commonplace in some parts of Sulawesi. | Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, but Christianity is commonplace in some parts of Sulawesi. |
Are you in Sulawesi? What is your view of the latest developments? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in Sulawesi? What is your view of the latest developments? Send us your comments and experiences. |