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Pro-Prabowo retired general arrested for alleged illegal arms possession
Despite the highest security level, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu ensured that Jakartans had nothing to worry about on Wednesday
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Election result protesters sit on the road at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta on May 21 while riot police stand guard behind them. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
A
retired general who was among the supporters of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto was arrested on Monday evening for alleged illegal arms possession in a series of arrests related to the planned rally in Jakarta on May 22.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto confirmed the arrest of Maj. Gen. (ret) Soenarko, who was once an Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) commander.
Wiranto said Tuesday that Soenarko was arrested following a viral video in which the retired general had instructed his men to besiege the General Elections Commission (KPU) building and the Presidential Palace.
“Let me make this clear. The arrest of [Soenarko] is related to his instructions to his men, which was recorded and went viral. It is also related to illegal arms from Aceh, allegedly ordered by him for something. The police are investigating the matter,” Wiranto said.
“But don’t make this about politics,” he added.
Wiranto added that the police had named Soenarko a suspect of illegal arms possession.
Soenarko is in National Police custody at Guntur Military Detention Center. Along with him, the police also arrested another person, identified as chief Pvt. BP.
