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State officials targeted in riots
The protests, originally driven by supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, descended into deadly riots as more violent groups became involved, leaving at least eight people dead and hundreds injured, including journalists and humanitarian workers.
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Protestors throw rocks at riot police in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, on May 22. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)
T
he National Police have revealed another group they claim attempted to disrupt the capital’s security during the riots that followed postelection protests against the victory of incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo last week.
The protests, originally driven by supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, descended into deadly riots as more violent groups became involved, leaving at least eight people dead and hundreds injured, including journalists and humanitarian workers.
In their latest release on Monday, the police named six people suspects for alleged illegal arms possession relating to a murder plot against four state officials and the head of a polling agency during the riots that occurred on May 21 to 23 in several locations in Central and West Jakarta.
Five men and one woman were arrested at different times and places in raids around Greater Jakarta, during which the police also seized at least four firearms and boxes of ammunition, National Police spokesperson Gen. M. Iqbal said.
“The four [targets] were state officials, not the President,” Iqbal said. “It’s not in my capacity to disclose [the names] and the investigation is still under way.”
Three of the suspects, identified only as HK — thought to be the leader of the operation — AZ and IR, were arrested on Tuesday, May 21, before the first riot broke out, while the other three suspects, identified only as TJ, AD and AF, were arrested on Friday, May 24.
The police suspect HK, TJ, AZ and IR were tasked with executing the plan, while the police have charged AD and AF with possessing and selling illegal firearms.
