A Muslim mob in Temanggung, Indonesia, attacked three churches last week after a Christian convicted of blasphemy was issued a sentence they thought was too lenient. Protesters burst into the courtroom on Tuesday, Feb. 8, immediately after Antonius Bawengan was given a five-year prison sentence for distributing evangelical tracts in the area last October.
Bawengan was given the maximum sentence allowable, but it did not satisfy the Muslim hardliners. The enraged Muslims attacked Bawengan and also went after the judge, who had to be rescued.
Temanggung Pentacost Church
Outside the courthouse, a mob of 1,500 shouted that Bawengan should receive the death sentence or be handed over to the public, according to an AFP news report citing Central Java province police spokesperson Djihartono. The rioters threw stones at police and chanted, “kill, kill” as they broke windows in the courthouse and set vehicles on fire.
The mob then turned their anger on churches in the area. Indonesia Bethel Church, two kilometers from the courthouse, was badly burned. The fire damaged part of a kindergarten on the property as well as six motorbikes. Temanggung Pentecost Church was also burned by the mob, who chanted, “Burn, burn!”
The Church of St. Peter and Paul was vandalized, and its leader, Pastor Saldhana, was badly beaten, according to Release International. Release also reported that a church-run orphanage and medical center were destroyed.
The violence finally subsided when police in riot gear used tear gas on the mob.
The incident came two days after another church was sealed. A recent report found that there were six times more incidents against Christians in 2010 than in 2009.
