Police arrest FPI troop leader in Cirebon

Nana Rukmana ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta, Cirebon   |  Sat, 06/14/2008 11:07 AM  |  City

The leader of the Islam Defenders Troop, the combative division of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), was arrested Friday for his alleged role in the National Monument (Monas) attack on June 1.

Matsuni, 40, was visiting his cousin, Mahyudi, at the Pondok Griya housing complex in Cirebon, West Java, on Friday morning when police arrived at the site and arrested him.

"He was at the scene when the attack happened. We are still questioning him," said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana on Friday.

Cirebon Police have intensified security on the borders of West Java and Central Java.

"We have intensified our search for the suspects," Cirebon Police chief Sr. Comr. Nasser Amir said. "I have instructed all police officers under my supervision to keep searching around the clock."

Ketut said Matsuni was one of 20 suspects identified by police involved in attacks on dozens of activists from the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB). They went to Monas to commemorate the state ideology of Pancasila and show their support to the Ahmadiyah sect, whose beliefs have sparked recent controversy. The attack left at least 70 people injured.

Eight other suspects, including the leader of the Islam Troop Command, Munarman, are officially under police custody, leaving the remaining 11 at large.

The police also detained FPI leader Rizieq Shihab two days after the attack, accusing him of provocation and protecting criminals.

Over 100 members of the Peace Alliance Against Blasphemy of Islam, including members of the United Development Party, swarmed city police headquarters Friday, demanding the police suspend Rizieq's arrest.

"Rizeq is not a criminal. We guarantee he will not run away and the police can detain us if he does," leader of the alliance Noer Muhammad Iskandar told Ketut.

Ketut said the police would take their comments merely as support because arrest suspensions could only be requested by the detainee, his family or lawyer.

Alliance members read their request to the police, concerning police treatment of AKKBB activists and FPI members, as well as the alliance's hope to disband Ahmadiyah.

Noer threatened to commit further attacks if the government did not disband Amadiyah in the next month, saying the ministerial joint decree was not enough.

After the meeting, the police allowed the representatives to visit Rizieq, even though it was outside visiting hours. (ind)

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