The Witch Hunters of Jember
Several prisoners jailed for the death of dukun santet in East Java speak of their involvement and non-involvement in the violence. Most claim innocence of the witch hunting that left dozens dead.
January 8, 2002
RAMDAN'S face was pale with fear. "Have mercy, Pak. Why am I to be grilled again? Are we all to be liqui- dated?" he asked as he was led out of his cell that day late in December.
Ramdan is one of 23 inmates in the Jember, East Java, penitentiary convicted for the deaths of scores of black magic shamans or dukun santet in a frenzied witch hunt that spread through the province in the late 1990s. Despite assurances
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