The Christian community in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, has welcomed the sentencing of three Islamist militants for the beheading of three Christian schoolgirls, but at the same time expressed concerns over the seeming disparity between the sentencing of Christians and Muslims, fearing further harsh penalties on Christians.

The three Islamist militants were sentenced on 21 March 2007 for the beheading of three Christian schoolgirls in October 2005. Hasanuddin was sentenced for 20 years imprisonment for masterminding the attack, and his accomplices, Lilik Purnomo and Irwanto Irano, were sentenced to 14 years each.

Whilst the Christian community in the area welcomes the verdict, they are concerned that this and a recent crackdown on militants in the area will result in the authorities imposing harsher penalties on Christians in an attempt to be seen to treat both communities equally.

This would particularly impact twelve young Christian men from Poso, Central Sulawesi, who are currently standing trial accused of terrorist activities, and are facing a possible death penalty. They were arrested for the murder of two Muslim men during the demonstrations following the execution of three Catholic Christians in September last year.

Observers are concerned that these twelve men have been charged under both the Anti-terrorism law and the criminal law despite there being no apparent evidence to sustain the terrorism charges. It is seen as an attempt by authorities to demonstrate that they are not singling out the Muslim community as the only perpetrators of terrorism. National and international human rights organisations are following the case of the twelve Christian men closely.

The trial comes at a time when around twenty Islamist militants have been arrested or killed in the last three months in an ongoing security operation in Central Sulawesi. The crack-down follows attacks including bombings, targeted killings of Christian leaders and killings of eyewitnesses to the attacks and the judiciary.

Whilst Christian leaders in Sulawesi welcome the authorities finally taking action against some of the key figures that have been terrorising the community, they fear a backlash against the Christian community.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: "We are pleased that justice has finally prevailed following the brutal attack on the three schoolgirls in 2005. However, the pattern of violence continues in Indonesia. We urge both the Christian and Muslim communities to work with the authorities in Central Sulawesi to put an end to this cycle of attacks once and for all. We also ask the authorities to ensure that minorities are treated fairly and equally by the judiciary. We shall be following closely the progress of the trial."


Notes to editors.

1. Hasanuddin is the son- in-law of Islamist militant leader in Poso, Adnan Arsal, and has reportedly trained in Philippines with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He stated that the attack was in revenge for Christians killing Muslims during the early stages of the sectarian conflict in Central Sulawesi.

2. The schoolgirls were attacked on their way to school. Another girl, Noviana Malewa, managed to flee the scene. The militants put the heads of the three girls in plastic bags and dumped them in surrounding villages with notes stating 'We still need another 100 heads. Blood for blood, a life for life and a head for a head.'

3. Basri, one of the most wanted men and considered to be a mastermind of many of the attacks on Christian community in Poso, was arrested on 1 February 2007. He gave evidence about the extensive involvement of Jemaah Islamiyah, a regional terrorist organisation, in the conflict in Poso.