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View all search resultsRizieq refuses to celebrate Idul Fitri behind bars
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Rizieq Shihab leads Thousands of Moslems participate in a rally in front of the Parliamentary Office in Jakarta, on February 21, 2017. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
H
ard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab has been known as the loudest advocate in pushing for blasphemy charges against non-active Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Since late last year, the firebrand cleric has led a series of anti-Ahok rallies in the capital as he repeatedly called for the authorities to bring Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, “to justice” for “insulting Islam.”
Amid mob pressure, police and prosecutors swiftly completed Ahok’s dossier. As rallies were held by conservative Muslim groups last week, Ahok was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy by the North Jakarta District Court, only two weeks after Ahok lost his reelection bid amid an intense sectarian campaign.
While Ahok is in detention, Rizieq, who happens to be implicated in a number of criminal cases, has failed to prove he is a lawabiding citizen, prompting harsh criticism and cynicism given the cleric’s tireless calls for the “rule of law” against Ahok.
West Java Police have named Rizieq a suspect for allegedly insulting the Pancasila state ideology and the memory of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno. He is also under investigation at the Jakarta Police in a pornography case allegedly involving him and treason suspect Firza Husein.
Has has also been reported to the police in a number of cases centering on blasphemy, slander and incitement of hatred.
The FPI leader failed to fulfill two summons issued by the Jakarta Police in his capacity as a witness in the pornography case on April 25 and May 10.
