Bekasi, Indonesia. A church leader was stabbed in the stomach and a reverend beaten during an attack on a group of Christians forced to pray in a field in Bekasi on Sunday morning.
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| Demonstrators demanding religious freedom rally in support of the Bekasi branch of the Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP). An elder from the congregation was stabbed on Sunday and a reverend beaten as they prayed in a field. (Antara Photo) |
Saor Siagian, a lawyer representing the Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) Pondok Timur Indah congregation, told the Jakarta Globe an elders was stabbed by an unknown motocyclists on Sunday morning.
“Penatua [congregation elder] Sihombing was leading the congregation for Sunday mass when he was stabbed by someone riding a motorcycle,” Saor said.
Also targeted was Rev. Luspida Simandjuntak, who was assaulted.
The hard-line Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Bekasi Mayor Mochtar Mohammad have prevented the group from holding services in their church, which has been sealed, forcing the group to hold Sunday services in a field in Ciketing, Mustika Jaya village.
Last month, a group identifying itself as the Mustika Jaya Moslem Forum (FUI) attacked the group, injuring eight.
“Since then members always go in groups for Sunday prayers,” Saor continued. “Sihombing was leading one of the groups when the stabbing occurred.”
Sihombing has been taken to Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Pengasinan, Bekasi. His condition is believed to be serious.
Two people have reportedly been arrested.
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