Indonesian police arrest two suspects in Christian church leaders attack

Indonesian police has arrested two people in relation to an attack against two Christian church leaders in Ciketing near the capital city of Jakarta on Sunday, a local police chief said.

"They're still suspected (in the case)," Sr. Comr. Imam Sugianto, police chief in Bekasi area, was quoted as saying by tempotinteraktif.com. However, he refused to identify the persons arrested.

Huria Kristen Batak Protestant (HKBP) leaders ST Sihombing and Rev. Luspida Simanjuntak were attacked on Sunday morning while on their way to attend a service at the church in Ciketing, Bekasi.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto to immediately coordinate with the National Police to investigate and arrest the alleged perpetrators who attacked Christian church leaders.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Timur Pradopo said earlier the attack on the HKBP leaders was purely criminal and was not related to religious issues, despite previous attacks to the congregation by Muslim groups.

Source: Xinhua