Three women in Indonesia, who were arrested and charged with 'Christianisation', have been convicted by Indonesian judges and sentenced to three years in prison.
Dr. Rebecca Laonita, Mrs Ratna Mala Bangun and Mrs Ety Pangesti of Gereja Kristen Kemah Daud (GKKD), of the Christian Church of David's Camp; were involved in a children's holiday project called ‘Happy Week’ in Haurgelis, West Java.
They were imprisoned on 13th May in Indramayu State Prison and found guilty on 1 September of violating the Child Protection Act of 2002, which forbids "deception, lies or enticement" causing a child to convert to another religion. The maximum sentence for violation of the Act is five years in prison and a fine of 100 million rupiah (US$10,226).
When the verdict was announced at 11am local time, the courtroom filled with Muslim radicals, shouted "Allahu akbar!", which means "God is great!"
The three women are allegedly planning to appeal the conviction, and it was reported that they were devastated at the fact that they will be separated from their children, ranging from the age of 6 to 19.
Murderous threats were made by Islamic extremists inside and outside the courtroom. One was reported to have brought a coffin to bury the defendant if they were found innocent.
"The ladies, witnesses and judges were constantly under the threats of violence from hundreds of Islamic radicals who threatened to kill the three ladies, witnesses, pastors, missionaries and even the judges if the women were acquitted," Jeff Hammond of Bless Indonesia Today told Compass.
Their story began in 2003, when the elementary school in the area asked the church staff to provide a Christian education programme at their school.
The reason for this resulted from a change in the law, which occurred in June 2003 when the National Education System Bill came into force. The Bill requires providing religious education for children of religious minorities.
Since the school in Babakan Jati had no means of providing Christian education, they asked GKKD church to provide the programme.
