07/24/2021 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – The Indonesian police clarify that a recent brawl did not specifically target a local church, although the church was affected.

A brawl that took place on July 21 in the Medan Belawan area, North Sumatra became violent, as local youths threw Molotov cocktail towards the homes in the neighborhood, though it landed in a Pentecostal church instead.

According to CNN Indonesia, the Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Police, Kombes Hadi Wahyudi said on Thursday, “No church was burned. There were several houses that had been damaged, there were stalls that caught fire on the side of the road. The throwing also hit the church yard and hit the church door.”

He reassured that the brawl that occurred was not related to ethnic, religious, racial and interfaith issues. According to him, these brawls often occur between local youth groups even though they have often been mediated.

The Pentecostal church confirmed to the police that there was no damage to the church. Activities at the Pentecostal Church were not disturbed and proceeded normally as usual, according to the police.

The six provocateurs of the action have been arrested by the police and asked to sign a peace letter so that they would not repeat their actions again. Currently, investigators are still pursuing the other parties involved.

For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: [email protected].