Vento Saudale, Bogor – The alleged murder suspect in the killing of an Islamic Defenders Force (LPI), a unit of the FPI, member said on Monday his group was only defending themselves after LPI members threw stones at them.

"We were hanging out in a group consisting of four to seven people," suspect Ival Reza Yulia Mahendra said. "But then that group [LPI] came and threw stones. So we fought with that group."

Based on statements from four LPI members given to police, the LPI claimed they tried to mediate a brawl between two groups. Instead of making peace, the people involved in the brawl shifted their target and attacked LPI members.

Ival said he spontaneously stabbed Mustofa with a 80-centimeter long machete. Mustofa died from the injury. "I didn't know that he died," Ival said.

Bogor police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hilman said Ival was arrested at his house when he was sleeping at 1 a.m. Police said the suspect would be charged with article 351 on abuse that carries a maximum sanction of seven years.