Police nab ‘riot planner’ in Makassar

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The Makassar City Police on Friday arrested a suspect believed to have instigated a riot last week.

Police apprehended Ashari Setiawan, 40, a Makassar-chapter Muslim Student Association (HMI) member in Pallasang, Takalar regency, with three friends.

They were nabbed on their journey from Jeneponto regency to Makassar.

Police deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Andi Patawari said Ashari was indicted of attempting to burn cars, persecuting a fellow student and plundering the HMI secretariat office during a violent rally over Century bailout case. Ashari also faces eight criminal charges not related with the Century rally, spanning from 2001 to 2009. — JP