Protesters riot in central Java town

Ninemsn.com.au

Hundreds of protesters have gone on a rampage in a town in central Java, burning down churches and schools and clashing with police in response to a sentence request from the prosecution in a blasphemy trial.

The violence first erupted in the Temanggung District Court on Tuesday when the prosecution requested a sentence of five years for Antonius Richmond Bawengan, accused of insulting Islam in relation to the distribution of flyers and books.

At least three Christian churches, as well schools, had been burnt down by the early afternoon.

Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd, but sporadic clashes between protesters and police were still erupting shortly after 1pm (5pm AEDT).

~ par Alain Bertho sur 8 février 2011.

Publié dans émeutes, riots