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FPI members set to stage rally at police headquarters
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Getting ready: Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members pack Al Azhar Grand Mosque in South Jakarta in preparation to stage a mass rally at the nearby National Police headquarters on Jan. 16. (JP/Safrin La Batu)
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undreds of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members flocked to Al Azhar Grand Mosque in South Jakarta on Monday morning in preparation to stage a mass protest in front of the nearby National Police headquarters.
Several of the group’s leaders were seen arriving at the mosque from 9 a.m. onwards for the rally, which was scheduled to be held at noon.
FPI members are staging the rally reportedly to demand the dismissal of West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan after violence broke out during the questioning of an FPI leader last week.
The clash, which involved FPI members and followers of mass organization Gerakan Masyarakat Bawah Indonesia (Indonesian Grassroots Society Movement, or GMBI), occurred during the police's questioning of FPI leader Rizieq Shihab in Bandung, West Java, on Thursday.
Following the clash, FPI sympathizers attacked a GMBI office in Ciampea, Bogor regency, early on Friday. After the incident, the police detained 20 people for questioning, some of them have been named suspects.
Around 5,000 FPI members and sympathizers reportedly will join the Monday’s rally, which will be proceeded by a joint prayer and religious sermons at the mosque before the protesters begin their march to the police’s headquarters.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan has said around 2,000 police officers and 800 military personnel have been readied to maintain security and public order during the rally. (ebf)
