Even though Christians do not plan to prosecute the mob that drove them out of a retreat, the provincial governor says he will pursue legal action.
Dedi Mulyadi, governor of West Java province in Indonesia, instructed police to investigate the June 27 storming of the Christian youth retreat, reported Morning Star News. In addition, Mulyadi vows to oversee the prosecution. He also gave $6,250 to cover damages.
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More than 200 Muslims stormed the youth retreat, located in Tangkil village, the news outlet reported, referencing information from Sukabumisatu.com. Police and soldiers reportedly watched.
Police evacuated 36 youth from the retreat.
Videos show mob members vandalizing the retreat, which is actually a home belonging to a 70-year-old woman.
Stones were thrown at vehicles evacuating the boys and girls, one source said .
According to Morning Star, mob members claim their actions were not from intolerance to Christians but rather “the belief that worshipping in a venue not licensed for religious purposes would disrupt the peace.”
Eight suspects have been arrested in the incident.
About the religious climate in the country, Morning Star stated, “Indonesian society has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to Open Doors.”
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