Serang, Banten (ANTARA News) - Eleven people began to be tried at the Serang district court in Banten province, West Java, on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in the attack on Ahmadiyah followers in Cikeusik earlier this year.

The trial sessions which were held in three court rooms began simultaneously at around 9.30am under tight security. More than 1,000 security apparatus stood on guard inside and outside the courthouse.

The session at the main court room with four defendants was led by chief judge Cipta Sinuraya supported by judge Rehmalem BR and judge Pinta Uli BR Tarigan.

The four defendants were Yusuf Abidin alias Asmat, Adam Damini alias Armad, Saad Baharudin bin Sapri and Yusri bin Bisri.

The agenda of the first sessions on the case was hearing charges from the prosecutors.

Prosecutor Mad Yunus said in his charges that Adam Damini as a farmer of Mandalawangi village in Pandeglang on February 4, 2011 received a short message from his friend asking him to join in the effort to dissolve Ahmadiyah sect. in Cikeusik.

Later on Saturday the defendant asked about the truth of the invitation to other friends namely teacher Endang who then asked him to contact Idris.

On Sunday at around 7am he left for Cikeusik by motorbike along with a friend carrying a machete. Before reaching Umbulan village the defendant stopped at a mosque around Cibaliung to take a blue ribbon and wore it on his right hand.

After reaching Umbulan in the subdistrict of Cikeusik he saw a group of people gathering in front of the house of Suparman. He then threw stones three times at Suparman after that he vandalized the mirror of the car belonging to Ahmadiyah follower named Deden and hit Warsono Katolib on his butt who then fell on the ground after being pummeled by the crowds. He later died according to the results of autopsy by the Serang regional hospital.

Warsono has so far been reported to be one of three Ahmadiyah followers who died in the clash.

Adam Damini was charged of violating Article 170 on vandalization and mobbing the Criminal Act and Article 160 on instigation as well as Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951.

Upon hearing the charges his lawyers from the Moslem Lawyers Team (TPM) said they would give their reply in the next session scheduled on May 3, 2011.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011