Muslims Stab Indonesian Christian Man as Religious Tensions Continue

Following the executions of three Roman Catholic militants, religious tensions in central Indonesia has been rising severely.

In recent news, a mob of Muslims dragged a Christian man from a bus and stabbed him, a witness and nurse said.

The victim was hospitalised in serious condition with back wounds, according to the nurse.

About 20 men wearing black masks blocked a road in Poso town on Sulawesi island, the main battleground of fighting between Muslims and Christians from 1998 to 2002 that left about 1,000 people from both faiths dead.

The men stopped a bus and forced five passengers to get out, intimidating them and stabbing one before police arrived, said a witness.

Communal tensions have risen in Sulawesi since the September 22 executions of three Roman Catholic men convicted of leading a militia that carried out attacks in 2000, including an assault on an Islamic school that left at least 70 dead.

One month before the execution, Pope Benedict had called on Indonesia to stop the imminent execution, as thousands of Indonesians held a prayer vigil in opposition to the death sentences.

"In the name of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, I turn to you again ... in order that an act of clemency might be granted to these three Catholic citizens of your nation," a letter addressed to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

Human rights groups allege their trial was unfair, and have questioned whether religion played a role in the sentencing.

Few Muslims were punished for the four years of unrest and none to more than 15 years in prison.