THE death-row inmate and Bali nine drug courier Scott Rush has been circumcised by a man who snuck in to Bali's Kerobokan jail and covertly performed the operation in an Islamic prayer room. The procedure, performed on Friday, is commonly part of the ritual when a person converts to Islam, although the religious orientation of Rush - who has previously professed to be a Christian - could not be established last night.
Agus Hartawan, Kerobokan's medical officer, confirmed the circumcision in a telephone interview yesterday as he was examining Rush in his prison clinic.
''The wound is healing properly and he is doing fine,'' Dr Hartawan said.
He then passed the phone to Rush, who, when asked if he had converted to Islam, said ''No comment'', adding he would be making no further statements.
Even so, the Herald understands Rush has been given the Islamic name Suleiman, and has been spending a lot of time in the past two weeks with a small group of Muslim prisoners.
The clandestine circumcision was undertaken at the prison's musholla, or prayer room, by members of an Islamic group who entered the prison with medical equipment.
According to one source, a white sheet was put up while the operation took place. It is believed a local anaesthetic was used.
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Poster Comment:
Sorry but I couldn't pass up a good headline like this...
