Jonathan Head reports on the trial from Indonesia (3'54")

In Indonesia a man is on trial who, if found guilty, would be the world's second most prolific serial-killer this century.

The accused, Achmad Suradji, otherwise known as Nasib Kalewang or Datuk, is a 45-year-old mystic, who has been charged with the murder of 42 women.

Accused of murdering 42 women

He allegedly told the women he could make them more attractive using his special magic powers. He is said to have enticed the victims to come with him to a sugar-cane field near his house, claiming it was part of their treatment.

The prosecution allege that Mr Suradji buried the women up to their waists, before strangling them. He is said to have then drunk their saliva to boost his mystical power.

A victim's sister examines a dress found with one of the bodies

Fact is, that all the women disappeared after visiting him. Their bodies were dug up in a field last May, not far from the sorcerer's house.

According to the police, Mr Suradji made a full confession after his arrest on April 30.

He told them that nine years ago he had a dream in which the ghost of his father told him to kill 70 women and drink their saliva. It would be an essential requirement for becoming a dukan, or mystic healer, he said.

"I feel so angry. I want him to be executed. He's already admitted it to me and the police," said the sister of one of the victims, who consulted Ahmed two years ago and has never been seen since.

A victim's eight-year-old son accompanied his mother to mystic meeting

The victim's 8-year old son, who also testified before the court, says he accompanied his mother in what was to be her last journey. But he was sent home without her.

One of Mr Suradji's wives is also on trial as an accomplice. She is one of three wives, who are all sisters; the other two have left the village.

The trial, which is being held in Medan in North Sumatra, is expected to go on for several months.

Mr Suradji could face the death penalty if found guilty.

Mystic misdemeanours common in Indonesia

The reaction in the rest of Indonesia is relatively muted. The beginning of the trial went unreported in Indonesia's national press. People say it is because they are used to going for help to "paranormals", and familiar with things going wrong.

In Indonesia mystics are a part of every-day life

Consulting mystics is a way of life in Indonesia, and they are reputed to have huge sexual appetites. There have been other cases of mystics molesting and even raping their clients.

"The case of Achmad Suradji is an aberration," says a traditional healer, who is visited by many for his supposedly magic powers.

"If you don't have the right background, the right education, or the right teacher, then things could go badly wrong."

Neighbours destroyed his house in anger

Some mystics say they can arrange to have people killed by magic powers.

But people in Mr Suradji's village say that the allegations about him have put them off from seeing mystics, and that they will now stay clear of traditional sorcery.

As one of Mr Suradji's neighbours says, they feel betrayed by a man who was once a respected member of the community.

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