A man accused of a horrific sexual assault has been killed in an act of brutal mob justice on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The 47-year-old, identified as Ali, was hunted down, beaten to death, and his body publicly paraded after being accused of raping a disabled woman.
The Alleged Crime and Community Outrage
The incident began on November 30 in the Gowa regency of South Sulawesi. Ali was accused of sexually assaulting a woman with disabilities, who was later found severely beaten and traumatised. The alleged crime ignited fury within the local community, prompting residents to take the law into their own hands.
Fearing for his life, Ali initially sought refuge at a relative's home before fleeing into nearby woodland in Rappolemba Village. He managed to evade capture for several days but was eventually discovered on December 3 when he emerged from the forest looking for food.
A Brutal Lynching and Public Spectacle
Upon being recognised, Ali was immediately set upon by a large crowd of enraged locals. Shocking footage circulated online shows the mob attacking the tied-up man with sticks, stones, and machetes. Disturbing reports indicate the vigilantes "chopped up" his genitals during the assault.
The violence did not end with his death. The mob then tied ropes around his lifeless body and dragged it through the streets as a macabre parade. A convoy of motorcycles was seen hauling the corpse along a road past houses, with residents reportedly cheering. Hundreds of onlookers filmed the gruesome scene on their smartphones.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Senior Adjunct Commissioner Muhammad Aldy Sulaeman, Chief of Gowa Police, confirmed that officers raced to the scene to bring the situation under control. A significant police presence was deployed, including personnel from the medical team for post-mortem, the Samapta Unit, the Criminal Investigation Unit, and the Intelligence Unit.
"We can confirm that several videos have circulated regarding an alleged assault against an individual," Commissioner Sulaeman stated. "The initial information we received indicates that the person concerned was suspected of rape. However, we will continue to investigate this matter to determine the exact chronology of events."
Local residents claimed that Ali had a notorious reputation in the area for theft and burglary, and had only recently been released from prison. A village resident named Enal said, "Residents had been looking for Ali after committing this heinous act against a disabled woman."
The case has highlighted extreme instances of vigilante justice in the region, posing serious challenges for law enforcement authorities tasked with maintaining order and ensuring legal due process.
