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Arrest of 5 Islamic student association members criticized
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In ruin -- A Jakartan looks at the ruins of a vehicle burned by protesters during the massive rally on Nov. 4 against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's alleged defamation. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
T
he arrest of five members of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI), all of whom have been named suspects over alleged attacks in the Nov. 4 rally, has drawn sharp criticisms.
The Indonesian Police Watch (IPW), a Jakarta-based police watchdog, lambasted the Jakarta Police for “arrogantly showing off” their power by arresting the HMI activists without giving them a chance to first get the assistance of lawyers.
“The police have adopted a New Order-style security precaution by abducting student activists,” IPW chairman Neta S. Pane said on Tuesday.
“Why have they been so arrogant by arresting the HMI student activists after they previously claimed of being professional in securing the rally?” he added, referring to the demonstration of Islamic organizations on Nov. 4 to protest inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s alleged blasphemy.
The Jakarta Police arrested the five Islamic Student Association (HMI) members, including its secretary general Amijaya, in connection with an attack on police officers during the rally in Jakarta on Nov. 4.
Amijaya and his colleagues were arrested in different places late in the evening on Monday. The HMI headquarters said that all of them were arrested without the presence of legal advisors.
Several House of Representatives members, who would investigate the causes that had turned the peaceful rally into a chaotic and violent protest, also expressed criticisms over the arrest.
In their independent investigation, members of the House’s Commission III, which oversees legal and security affairs, will look into possible roles of Jakarta Police personnel in provoking individuals participating in the rally, including the HMI members, to carry out violent acts. (ebf)
