Malaysia court convicts 2 Muslim brothers of torching Christian church during tensions
By APThursday, August 12, 2010
Malaysia court convicts 2 Muslims of church arson
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian court has convicted two Muslim brothers of torching a Christian church during the height of a dispute over whether non-Muslims can use the word “Allah” to refer to God.
The firebombing last January was the first in an unprecedented string of arson attacks and vandalism at 11 churches, a Sikh temple, three mosques and two Muslim prayer rooms.
Two brothers in their 20s were arrested and placed on trial for the attack, which partially gutted a Protestant church.
Komathy Suppiah, a Kuala Lumpur district court judge, convicted both of them Friday of “mischief by fire” with the intention of destroying a place of worship.
The judge was scheduled to sentence them later Friday. They face up to 20 years in prison.
