By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Indonesian police said Monday that they are questioning 20 witnesses over the death of a Christian schoolboy in a bullying case that has shocked the Christian community.
The 8-year-old victim, who was named only as KB, was from the village of Pangkalan Kasai in the Seberida district of Indragiri Hulu Regency in Indonesia’s Riau Province.
KB, a second-grade student, died from internal injuries after being beaten by five older Muslim classmates, apparently for his faith in Christ, according to family members and local Christians.
“In this case, the police have conducted an autopsy on the body of the victim who was still in the 2nd grade of elementary school. The autopsy results will be announced tomorrow, Tuesday, June 3, 2025,” said the Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Asep Darmawan.
However, police investigators said Monday that the “initial suspicion” is that “the victim died as a result of violence committed by his seniors at school.”
The victim’s parents had asked the police to conduct an autopsy, officials said.
SEVERAL BRUISES
Police confirmed that the child’s body was found to have several bruises, especially on the stomach and legs, which were likely caused “by blunt force trauma.”
Investigators also “examined the school to uncover the alleged bullying case, including the teachers and classmates of the victim who are suspected of being involved,” police said.
The case has underscored broader concerns about Christians being targeted in the world’s largest Muslim nation.
Despite the reported persecution, Christianity in Indonesia has experienced steady growth, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the population, Worthy News reported Sunday.
Official estimates suggested that 2000 Christians comprised about 8.92 percent of the population, with 17.95 million believers.
By 2023, that number had risen to 29.4 million, accounting for about 10.47 percent of the population, according to official estimates.
MORE CHRISTIANS
Church leaders have told Worthy News the real figure is higher, with many Muslims turning to the Christian faith, including in “underground churches” often held at homes of individual believers.
Yet with Christianity spreading, Muslim rage toward Christian converts has increased, with KB becoming the latest victim, Worthy News learned.
After being rushed to Indrasari Rengat Regional General Hospital, KB suffered convulsions and struggled to breathe, Christians said.
He died on Monday morning, May 26, from the injuries sustained in the beating, family and police said. “He was my first child… I can’t believe all of this. I feel like I’m dreaming,” his father, Gimson Beni Butarbutar, added in published remarks.
Pastor Piet, who leads the Pentecostal GPDI Solagracia church in the area, recalled KB as a bright and devoted student who regularly participated in — and won — Sunday school Bible quizzes. “This child was diligent in Sunday school.”
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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