DUBAI: Police in the British city of Manchester are treating as suspicious a fire at a mosque which was previously targeted in a spate of racist attacks.
The Manchester Nasfat Islamic Center has, in the past, had two pig heads thrown in during prayers and was subjected to people urinating on the building, Monsurat Adebanjo-Aremu, branch secretary of the centre, told the Manchester Evening News.
A fire broke out at the center at 11.40 p.m. on Sunday before it was tackled by more than 30 firefighters.
A spokesman said the mosque’s leaders had received a call during the night saying the building “was being attached.”
A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told the Manchester Evening News: “The fire is being treated as suspicious and a joint investigation has been launched by GMP and GMFRS (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service).”
GMFRS confirmed: “We were called at 11.43pm to Newton Heath to reports of a fire. We sent five pumps to the scene and an investigation is now underway.”
Police investigate fire at previously targeted Manchester mosque
Police investigate fire at previously targeted Manchester mosque
Indonesia court jails ex-CEOs of Pertamina units in major graft case
- Prison sentences range from 9 to 15 years
- Prosecution says graft in Pertamina subsidiaries caused $17 billion of losses to state
JAKARTA: An Indonesian court has jailed nine people in a major corruption case involving subsidiaries of state energy firm Pertamina, including two former chief executives of its units, which prosecutors say caused $17 billion in state losses.
The case, which centers on alleged illegal leasing of a fuel terminal and illegal imports of crude oil, among other offenses, is one of the biggest launched under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, who has vowed to eradicate corruption.
The nine were sentenced by the Central Jakarta Court, with the reading of the verdicts starting on Thursday afternoon and continuing into the early hours of Friday. The defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from nine years to 15 years, after prosecutors had sought terms of 14 to 18 years. Yoki Firnandi, former chief executive of Pertamina International Shipping, and Riva Siahaan, former Pertamina Patra Niaga chief executive, each received a nine-year sentence from the panel of judges. Muhamad Kerry Adrianto Riza, a beneficial owner of a fuel terminal leased by Pertamina, was jailed for 15 years for his involvement, less than the 18 years sought by prosecutors.
Riza is the son of businessman Mohammad Riza Chalid, who has been named a suspect in the case and who the police said is now at large.
The three men had each denied the charges against them and pleaded not guilty, local media reported during the trial.
Riza’s lawyer Patra Zen said on Friday his client rejected the ruling and would appeal.
Outside the court on Friday, Firnandi said he was disappointed by a verdict that he called a farce, and said he would discuss with his counsel about appealing.
Siahaan’s lawyer Luhut Pangaribuan said he was saddened and disappointed by the verdict.
Pertamina did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has previously said it respected the legal process and had cooperated with the investigation.
