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Police refute FPI’s accusation of unfair handling of Bandung clash
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On guard -- Hundreds of police officers and military personnel are ready to secure the National Police headquarters as members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) stage a mass rally on Monday to demand the dismissal of West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan. (JP/Safrin La Batu)
T
he National Police have brushed off accusations by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) that police had taken sides in handling a clash involving the hardline group and a mass organization in Bandung, West Java, last week.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said on Tuesday that the force had not discriminated against anyone, including FPI members, in mediating the dispute, because everyone was equal before the law.
“We do not favor one party over another. We are impartial,” Boy told reporters in South Jakarta.
(Read also: Police deploy 2,800 to secure FPI rally against West Java Police chief)
On Monday, hundreds of FPI members flocked to the National Police headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta to demand the dismissal of West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan after violence had broken out between FPI sympathizers and members of Gerakan Masyarakat Bawah Indonesia (GMBI, Indonesian General Society Movement) during last week’s questioning of FPI leader Rizieq Shihab by West Java Police.
Following the violent clash, a GMBI office in Bogor regency, West Java, was attacked and set alight, allegedly by FPI members. West Java Police arrested 20 people, reportedly FPI members, after the arson attack and later named 12 of them as suspects.
At Monday’s rally, Rizieq claimed those arrests showed that West Java Police were biased in handling the case. (dan)
