"I have monitored and found that the attacker was an ISIS sympathizer," Ryamizard Ryacudu said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu affirmed that SA, the man who had attacked policemen in Tangerang, Banten, was an ISIS sympathizer.

"I have monitored and found that the attacker was an ISIS sympathizer," Ryamizard Ryacudu said here on Wednesday.

The minister pointed out that SA had just become an ISIS supporter when he indulged in this misadventure.

"SA was someone paid by the group that backed the ISIS," the minister disclosed.

National police chief General Tito Karnavian had earlier disclosed that SA was a member of "Daulah Islamiyah" of the Ciamis network in West Java. He was recruited by a man, identified as FA, who has since died.

FA was a member of the old Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) network and often used to visit Abu Bakar Baasyir (a JI leader).

When JI split and some of its members supported the ISIS while others backed Al-Qaeda, FA joined the group that backed the ISIS and recruited SA a year ago.

SA was then sworn in at an Islamic boarding school in Ciamis, West Java, and often used to communicate with the ISIS through a website or chatting application.

"SA often communicated online using a website with ISIS members and was eventually carried away, falling for the ISIS ideology which prompted his actions," Tito pointed out during a visit to inquire about the injured policemen being treated at the Siloam Hospital in Karawaci, Tangerang.

According to his family, SAs behavior changed completely as a result of his indoctrination. He began to use internet more frequently and became rather reticent, not even communicating with his brother who is a policeman.

Once SA had fled from home and was found in Ciamis. He was picked up from the boarding school but fled again. He was finally caught by his brother and taken to a local police station.

"From Ciamis, he was taken home but fled again. His behavior had changed totally. Actually, his parents and brothers continued to worry about him till he was finally found stabbing the Tangerang sector police chief," he recalled.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016