N Sumatra public prosecutor`s office preparing serial killer`s execution

Medan (ANTARA News) - The North Sumatra Higher Public Prosecutor`s Office has started an administrative process for preparations to execute a man sentenced to death for murdering 42 women in 1984-1994. a spokesman said.

Dukun AS alias Ahmad Suradji was sentenced to death in April 27, 1997 by the Lubuk Pakan district court in Deli Serdang. His appeals in higher courts and subsquent application for clemency were all rejected.

Gortap Marbun, chief of the North Sumatra Higher Public Prosecutor`s Office, said here Wednesday, the Attorney General`s Office (AGO) had already served notice to carry out Suradji`s execution.

However, the exact time for the execution had not yet been set as the office had first to complete certain administrative procedures, coordinate the execution plan with the police, court and the law and human rights ministry.

The officce also still had to prepare the convict himself and his family for the execution, Marbun said.  end  (*)

Suraji confessed to police that he strangled most of the women and drank their saliva after they came to him for supernatural help with their finances and love life. He said the saliva improved his magical powers.

Indonesia is mainly Muslim but belief in black magic is widespread.

Suraji's execution was approved after his second application for clemency was rejected by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, senior prosecutor Abdul Hakim Ritonga told AFP .

"Based on that rejection, we decided to execute him. We have ordered local officials to carry out all the preparations," Ritonga said.

The serial killer is one of five Indonesians set to be executed "soon", Ritonga said, while declining to give specific dates.

A security officer at the North Sumatra prison where Suraji sits on death row, who identified himself as Budi, said no official order had been received for the execution. ...