Jakarta police release anti-Muslim film protesters

The Jakarta Police said Tuesday that they had freed all protesters detained at chaotic demonstrations against the controversial movie Innocence of Muslims in front of the US embassy in Jakarta on Monday.

Police also corrected their previous statement saying that they had detained five protesters. Only NR, DJ, AS, EY were arrested after the demonstration that left 11 police officers and several protesters injured.

“The four were released at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, while another detainee – identified as AD - was actually freed on Monday directly after he was detained,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto told reporters.

Rikwanto said that NR, DJ and AS were members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). On Tuesday, FPI’s Jakarta chief paid a visit to the police headquarters.

Rikwanto, however, highlighted that FPI’s visit was to deliver apology for the chaotic rally. He said that the release of the detainees had nothing to do with the visit.

The four men were caught red-handed carrying slingshots and stones, but police later said that they did not belong to the men.

The four men were part of a crowd of 400 demonstratng on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. The protest was organized by several mass organizations, including the Islamic Society Forum (FUI) and FPI.

Security around the US Embassy in Jakarta has been increased since the rally. (aml/fzm)