Three men on trial for the gruesome beheading of three Christian schoolgirls in Poso, Indonesia in 2005 (click here for more details) were found guilty on March 21. Hasanuddin (34), who is linked to the terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah, was found guilty of masterminding the attack and was sentenced to twenty years in prison. The co-accused who actually beheaded the girls, Lilik Purnomo (28) and Irwanto Irano (29), were each sentenced to fourteen years in prison. While the men could have faced the death penalty, the sentences were reduced in light of remorse expressed by the men.
Three Men Found Guilty in Beheading of Schoolgirls
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- Country Information
Population
279,476,346 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)Religion (%)
Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)Leader
President Joko Widodo (2014)Government type
Presidential republicLegal system
Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary lawSources: CIA World Factbook.
- Pray for Indonesia
Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.
Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.
