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Chinese man jailed for race riot

Source
South China Morning Post - April 9, 1997

An ethnic Chinese man has been jailed for 3.5 years for triggering a race riot in West Java. Tjio Kim Tjang, 55, was convicted of spreading hatred against a certain group in Rengasdengklok by submitting them to humiliating acts.

Thousands of people burned and damaged scores of shops, banks and other buildings - most of them owned by ethnic Chinese - in January. At the time, it was rumoured the violence was sparked by a Chinese Christian who complained of Muslims' Ramadan prayers being too loud.

The trial of 35 youths for alleged involvement in the riot will begin soon, officials have said.

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