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FPI leader Rizieq, Firza no-show for police questioning on sexting scandal
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Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab speaks to reporters before facing police questioning at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Feb. 1, 2017 for alleged treason. The police also arrested a woman who allegedly had intimate conversations with Rizieq, and later raided her house in East Jakarta. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
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slam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab and his reported “girlfriend” Firza Husein failed to show up at Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday for questioning in an alleged sexting scandal.
Rizieq and Firza, who is also coordinator of the former president Suharto affiliated Solidaritas Sahabat Cendana Foundation, were summoned by police to answer questions regarding an allegedly steamy WhatsApp conversation between the two.
They have been charged with the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Law for allegedly exchanging information containing pornographic material.
An intimate WhatsApp exchange containing nude photos between a man and a woman believed to be Rizieq and Firza was uploaded earlier this year to the website baladacintarizieq.com by unknown persons. The site has since been blocked.
(Read also: Woman in alleged steamy Whatsapp conversation with Rizieq arrested)
“Habib [Rizieq] is unable to attend questioning because he has another important occasion planned,” said Sugito Atmo Pawiro from FPI’s legal team on Monday. “If God allows, [he’ll come] next week.”
Meanwhile, Firza’s lawyer Azis Yanuar claimed his client was feeling unwell and could, therefore, not fulfil the summons.
“Firza is currently undergoing a medical check-up, so she cannot come. I have notified the police investigators by phone and sent them a letter requesting to reschedule,” said Azis on Tuesday.
Firza was arrested at her residence in East Jakarta on Feb. 1 for failing to cooperate with the police in their investigation into her role in a suspected treason plot. (dea/dan)
