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Police in hunt for another suspect in treason case
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Symbol of resistance: Political activist Sri Bintang Pamungkas testifies in front of the Supreme Court in Jakarta on July 5, 2001. Police have detained Sri Bintang since the weekend for alleged treason. (Kompas/Agus Susanto)
T
he Jakarta Police said on Tuesday that they might name another suspect involved in an alleged plan to overthrow the government during a large public gathering held on Dec. 2 in the capital to demand the arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy.
"We are still investigating this case. There is a possibility that we will name another suspect," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan said in a press conference.
Iriawan said that activist M. Hatta Taliwang had allegedly attended some meetings initiated by Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, sister of former president and ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, to discuss a treason plan.
"We are still looking for his whereabouts. If you know where he is, just tell us," Iriawan said.
Iriawan said that there were indications that musician-turned-politician Ahmad Dhani was involved in the treason plot.
“We’re still investigating it,” he said, adding that the police would soon coordinate with a number of banks to trace the source of funds allegedly transferred to the activists to finance the plot.
On Dec. 2, several hours before the large gathering in the National Monument square, the Jakarta Police arrested eight people – Rachmawati, Ratna Sarumpaet, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, Eko Suryo Santjojo, Firza Husain, Kivlan Zen, Adityawarman Thaha and Alvin Indra – on treason charges.
Other three people were also arrested on different charges: Dhani for defamation and Jamran and Rizal Kobar for uttering hate speech. (hwa)
