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Police arrest 10 for allegedly igniting Friday riot
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Hard evidence: Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono (left), National Police spokespeople Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar (center) and Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto show pictures of a violent rally on Friday in Jakarta at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Saturday. (JP/Moses Ompusunggu)
T
o:p>The police are questioning 10 people who allegedly stirred up a riot that took place in the wake of a large-scale rally involving multiple Muslim groups on Friday in Jakarta.
Violence broke out after dusk when some groups of protesters at the rally, which demanded the criminal prosecution of Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy, refused to comply with a police order to disperse.
On Saturday, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said that the 10 alleged provocateurs were from regions outside Jakarta, including West Nusa Tenggara.
“The results of the interrogation will be announced in the next 24 hours,” Boy said.
Boy, however, declined to comment on the affiliation of the people under questioning. He also refused to confirm whether or not they are part of the Association of Islamic Students Association (HMI), as was reported by local media earlier.
Around 100,000 people from various Muslim organizations swarmed Jakarta streets on Friday, temporarily paralyzing activities downtown.
The rally ran peacefully until Friday evening, when some protesters refused to disperse after the rally. The crowd then moved to the House complex and was caught in a standoff with over 1,000 military and police personnel.
Boy said two police personnel, five military personnel and a fireman were injured as a result of the riot. Three police trucks were burned and 18 police and military vehicles were broken from being attacked by protesters. (hwa)
