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Police uncover provocative issues syndicate
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Against hate speech: Cyber Crime director Brig.Gen. Fadil Imran speaks to journalists after a discussion at the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) central executive board office in Jakarta on Feb.9. (Kompas.com/Ihsanuddin)
P
ersonnel of the cyber crime directorate at the National Police’s criminal investigation department (Bareskrim) have uncovered a syndicate allegedly spreading provocative issues through social media.
The cyber crime officers arrested four suspected members of the syndicate in a string of operations conducted jointly with special crime directorate personnel from the police’s Security Intelligence Agency in several areas across Indonesia on Monday.
The suspects, identified only as ML and RSD, were arrested in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, and Sumedang, West Java, respectively. Two other suspects, RSD and RS, were arrested in Pangkal Pinang, Riau, and Bali, respectively.
Cyber Crime Directorate head Brig.Gen. Fadil Imran said the four suspects had joined a WhatsApp group called “The Family MCA (Muslim Cyber Army)”.
“Based on the results of the investigation, this group has often spread provocative issues on social media,” said Fadil said as quoted by kompas.com in a written statement on Tuesday.
Among the issues distributed by the suspects included the revival of the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and Muslim ulema kidnappings. The syndicate was also accused of having committed libel against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the Indonesian government and certain leaders. The suspects also reportedly spread content containing viruses to certain people.
“They have intentionally spread viruses to certain people or groups, causing damages to their electronic devices,” said Fadil.
He said the suspects were charged with committing alleged hate speech based on sentiments against tribal affiliation, religion, race and societal groups (SARA). They would also be charged under articles pertaining to illegal acts that might causes disruption to the electronic system. The police are still investigating the case. (ebf)
