After the two camps reportedly courted the possibility of Prabowo’s Gerindra Party, currently the country’s second largest party, joining the ruling coalition, party executives revealed that Gerindra’s patron wanted no less than the unconditional return of the firebrand cleric who flew to self-exile in Mecca after being charged with two crimes.

Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani said Rizieq’s return was one of Prabowo’s terms for reconciliation with Jokowi after the polarizing presidential election in April. Prabowo was the presidential candidate supported by the 212 Movement of conservative Muslims led by Rizieq.

Before the presidential race, Prabowo went to Mecca to earn Rizieq’s endorsement by promising him a safe return should he win at the polls.

“Not only him [Rizieq]. Many other supporters are being detained. That is part of [our efforts] so that it can defuse tension amongst the supporters,” Ahmad said on Tuesday.

Before leaving for Mecca for umrah (minor haj) in 2017, Rizieq was charged in connection with a pornography case and for insulting Pancasila. The police dropped both charges last year, but the leader of the Islam Defenders Front has remained in the Islamic holy city despite his visa having expired in July 2018.

The government had offered to assist his return, but he remained in the city throughout the election campaign season and the polling day. His supporters have claimed that the Jokowi administration made it difficult for him to return to the country.

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