Two suspects responsible for Monas violence to receive sentencing

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 10/30/2008 9:28 AM  |  Jakarta

Two suspected inciters of violence at the National Monument (Monas) complex earlier this year are due to be sentenced at the Central Jakarta District Court today.

Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab and the Islam Troop Command (KLI) head Munarman both face two years' imprisonment over their alleged role in an attack that left 70 activists injured.

More than 1000 security personnel have been deployed to secure the trial.

A court official told Tempointeraktif.com, "The security detail will involve 1,560 police officers from both the Jakarta City Police and the Central Jakarta Police Resort."

Central Jakarta Police Resort operations division head K Eko Saputro said extra security measures had been put in place to anticipate any violent uprising that could result from the court verdict.

Saputro said, as quoted by Kompas.com, "The situation is pretty tense and so we are deploying more personnel to avoid any unwanted incidents like the Monas brawl."

Shihab and Munarman are each allegedly responsible for their groups' involvement in a violent ambush on National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) activists who were rallying at Monas on June 1. (amr)

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