This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7501316.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Indonesia executes ritual killer | Indonesia executes ritual killer |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An Indonesian man who murdered 42 women and girls in black magic rituals has been executed by firing squad. | An Indonesian man who murdered 42 women and girls in black magic rituals has been executed by firing squad. |
Self-confessed "shaman" Ahmad Suraji, 57, told police he killed the women to improve his magical powers. | |
He had been sentenced to death in 1998 after police found the women's bodies buried in a field in North Sumatra. | He had been sentenced to death in 1998 after police found the women's bodies buried in a field in North Sumatra. |
Suraji was executed despite a last-minute appeal by Amnesty International, the rights group which opposes all capital punishment. | |
Supernatural help | Supernatural help |
Bonaventura Nainggolan, a spokesman for the Indonesian attorney general's office, said: "He appeared resigned to his fate. His final wish was to see his wife. We fulfilled this." | Bonaventura Nainggolan, a spokesman for the Indonesian attorney general's office, said: "He appeared resigned to his fate. His final wish was to see his wife. We fulfilled this." |
The execution took place in Deli Serdang district, North Sumatra. | The execution took place in Deli Serdang district, North Sumatra. |
Suraji's victims had come to him for supernatural help with their finances and love life. | Suraji's victims had come to him for supernatural help with their finances and love life. |
Police said he persuaded them to be buried naked up to the neck before strangling them. | |
Belief in black magic in Indonesia is widespread, especially in rural areas, correspondents say. | Belief in black magic in Indonesia is widespread, especially in rural areas, correspondents say. |
Previous version
1
Next version