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Two Bantul residents monitored for alleged links to IS
The Bantul Police say they are closely monitoring two residents suspected of involvement with the Islamic State (IS) militant group
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The Bantul Police say they are closely monitoring two residents suspected of involvement with the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
'There are two residents we have continued to monitor for their alleged involvement with IS. One resident is from Bambanglipuro while the other one is a Banguntapan resident. One of the two residents is still in Syria,' Bantul Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Surawan said as quoted by Antara news agency in Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Wednesday.
He made the comments in response to questions on the alleged spread of IS influence in the regency.
Surawan said the police suspected that the two Bantul residents were involved with the IS network based on the results of an immigration investigation; one of the residents was known to have visited Syria several times while the other had not yet returned from the Middle Eastern country.
However, Surawan further said, the police could not yet reveal any information on the two residents' personal background or identity, including their home addresses.
'It's a secret. The Bambanglipuro resident is still in Syria while the Banguntapan resident was known to have traveled back and forth to Syria but had returned a year ago,' he said.
Surawan said the police had yet to investigate the alleged role of the Bambanglipuro resident who was still in Syria.
He said the police had once interrogated the Banguntapan resident who insisted on denying any involvement with IS.
'[...] But we keep monitoring the activities of the Banguntapan resident known to have often delivered religious speeches,' he said.
Surawan further said it remained difficult for the police to uncover the recruitment pattern of IS members as the process was conducted in secret.
'To prevent the spread of the movement, we have conducted Quran recitation activities, including the one led by Ustadz [Islamic teacher] Habib Syech. These are aimed at preventing religious radicalism from spreading in local communities,' he said. (dyl/ebf)(++++)
