Police arrest FPI members over Monas incident
Jakarta Police arrested Wednesday 39 members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) for their alleged involvement in the so called Monas incident when they attacked a group of people on Sunday.
The arrest of 39 FPI members went without serious incident as previously worried after FPI leader Habib Rizieq Shihab gave his cooperation and ordered all FPI members not to resist arrest.
The police, fearing resistance from FPI members, were heavily armed and guarded FPI headquarters since early morning.
“Don’t be panic because whether or not you are declared suspects will depend upon investigation by the police,” Rizieq told his followers, as reported by SCTV TV station.
“We will send our lawyers to accompany you during questioning by the police.”
FPI members attacked the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) activists at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Sunday in what FPI perceived as defending the devan Islamic sect of Ahmadiyah.
FPI has urged the government to ban Ahmadiyah for not following mainstream Islamic tenets especially in regarding founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet. Mainstream Muslims regard Prophet Muhammad as the seal of prophets and there will be no more prophets coming. (The Jakarta Post)
