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Police foil murder plot against Indonesian state officials amid May 22 riots
The killings were allegedly planned to take place amid the recent postelection protests that turned into full-fledged riots in the capital
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Protesters throw rocks at police officers during a clash in Jati Baru, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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ix people have been named suspects for alleged illegal arms possession related to a murder plot against four state officials and the head of a polling agency during the May 22 riots.
The five people were the targets of the killing, allegedly planned to take place amid the recent postelection protests that turned into full-fledged riots in the capital, the National Police said on Monday.
National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. M. Iqbal described that the six people were arrested at different times and places around Greater Jakarta. In the operations, the police also seized at least four firearms, including long and short rifles, and boxes of ammunition.
“The four [targets] are state officials, not the President,” Iqbal said, referring to incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. “It’s not in my capacity to disclose [the names] and the investigation is still underway.”
Three of the suspects, identified only as HK — found to be the leader of the operation — AZ and IR, were arrested on Tuesday, May 21, while the other three suspects, identified as TJ, AD and AF, were arrested on Friday, May 24.
The police suspect HK, TJ, AZ and IR of being tasked with executing the plan and possession of illegal firearms, while the police suspect AD and AF of possessing and selling illegal firearms.
Iqbal said the suspects, some of whom had received the order to kill the five figures, were believed to be highly professional and they had planned the murders by surveying the locations of the targets and planning the time.
