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FPI spokesman questioned as suspect
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The spokesman of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) Munarman gestures as he enters a police office in Denpasar, Bali, to be questioned as a suspect in a defamation case on Monday. Munarman was named as a suspect for allegedly making a remark that insulted pecalang (traditional Balinese security guards). (Antara/Adiutama )
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fter failing to answer the police’s summons on Friday, the spokesman for the hardline Islam Defenders Front (FPI) Munarman finally reported to Bali Police on Monday for his first questioning as a suspect for allegedly insulting pecalang (traditional Balinese security guards).
Munarman arrived at the Bali Police’s special crimes directorate office in Denpasar on Monday afternoon by himself and without a lawyer.
He was questioned in relation to his alleged remarks on the pecalang in June last year, Bali Police’s special crimes director Sr. Comr. Kenedy said, adding that Monday’s questioning followed the second summons police had issued for him.
In a discussion with Kompas media, Munarman had protested at how the media giant did not provide fair coverage of his group. He allegedly said that there were no news reports on pecalang who, he claimed, sometimes threw stones at Muslims’ houses and banned Muslims from performing prayers.
Munarman refused to comment to journalists on his arrival at the police office.
Police started the investigation following a report filed against him by an interfaith group in Bali in January. The Bali Police have accused Munarman of violating the Electronic Information and Transactions law (UU ITE) on spreading information to incite hatred, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
Munarman and his lawyer lodged a pretrial motion last week challenging the police’s move to charge him
Denpasar District Court has scheduled the first hearing of the pretrial challenge for Monday next week.
(Read also: FPI leader questioned for allegedly insulting rupiah)
