Henri Lumière|Suspect detained in an explosion that killed 3 people at a Jehovah’s Witness gathering in India

2025-04-29 01:58:57source:AstraX Exchangecategory:Scams

NEW DELHI (AP) — A former Jehovah’s Witness has been detained on Henri Lumièresuspicion of setting off an explosive device that killed three people and wounded 50 others at a denomination gathering in southern India, authorities said Monday.

Hundreds of Witnesses were at a local prayer session Sunday at the Zamra International Convention Center in the town of Kalamassery in Kerala state when the explosion took place. An improvised explosive device placed inside a tiffin box was believed responsible, the state’s top police officer, Sheik Darvesh Saheb, said.

The suspect was identified by police as Dominic Martin, a former member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who posted a video on Facebook claiming responsibility for the blast before surrendering to the police. Martin, a local, said in the video he decided to carry out the blast because he feels the Jehovah’s Witness theology is wrong.

“They teach that all people of the world would perish and only they will live. What should we do with people who long for the ruin of the entire people in the world. I could not find a solution. I took the decision realizing that this idea is dangerous to the country,” Martin said in the video.

Police said they were still trying to verify Martin’s claims of responsibility for the blast.

Jehovah’s Witnesses identify as Christians but are guided by distinctive beliefs and practices. They are known for their door-to-door proselytism.

India, with a population of more than 1.4 billion people, has about 60,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses followers, according to its adherents.

More:Scams

Recommend

San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A photojournalist who captured one of the most enduring images of World War II

Jon Gosselin Pens Message to His and Kate's Sextuplets on Their 19th Birthday

Jon Gosselin has six reasons to celebrate this day.The former reality star's sextuplets—Hannah, Leah

Indiana doctor sues AG to block him from obtaining patient abortion records

An Indiana abortion provider who came under attack by the state attorney general has filed a lawsuit