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Police probe accusation of bias in handling of FPI-GMBI clash
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Under pressure – Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Habib Rizieq (left) arrives at the West Java Police headquarters in Bandung, West Java, for questioning on Jan. 12. Rizieq was questioned in the police's investigation into a case of defaming Pancasila.
(Antara/Fahrul Jayadiputra)
I
nvestigators of the police’s general supervision inspectorate (Irwasum) are probing accusations that the police showed bias in handling an incident involving members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Indonesian General Society Movement (GMBI).
National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Wednesday that Irwasum investigators had been tasked specifically with probing the case after the FPI accused the police of siding with the GMBI in a clash in Ciampea, Bogor, West Java.
He urged the FPI to refrain from mobilizing masses of supporters, since an investigation was underway.
“[Mobilizing the masses] puts pressure on investigators, [making them] less objective,” Tito said at the Jakarta Police headquarters.
(Read also: Police call on FPI, GMBI to tone down conflict)
On Monday, hundreds of FPI members staged a rally in front of the National Police headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta to demand the dismissal of West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan, who they claimed had taken sides in the case.
The clash broke out last week after the questioning of FPI leader Rizieq Shihab over a case of defaming Pancasila, the nation’s founding principles. Following the clash, a GMBI office in Ciampea was attacked and set ablaze by a group of people alleged to be FPI members.
Police arrested dozens of FPI members following the attack.
The FPI accused Anton of being prejudiced in handling the case, because, as the group claimed, he was the head of GMBI’s advisory board. (jun)
