Since Munarman's arrest on April 27, 2021, Densus 88's investigators have deepened and expanded the probe into Munarman’s involvement in terror acts in several Indonesian regions, Indonesian Police's spokesman, Senior Commissioner Ahmad Ramadhan, stated during a press conference at the National Police Headquarters here on Friday.
"Densus is also exploring information, including on his involvement in a terrorism network," Ramadhan stated.
Speaking in connection with specific acts of terror committed by Munarman, Ramadhan revealed that the matter was yet being investigated by the National Police.
Some 60 personnel of Densus 88, police, and military were deployed to arrest Munarman at his home in Pamulang Sub-district, South Tangerang, Banten Province.
During the arrest, the officers raided the home and seized tens of books, including on jihad, as pieces of evidence.
Related news: Densus 88 arrests former secretary general of FPI
Barefooted, blindfolded, and handcuffed Munarman was moved to the Jakarta Police Office. No one, including his lawyer, was allowed to meet him so far.
Following the arrest, the officers also raided the former office of FPI and seized white powder allegedly believed to be explosive material by the police. However, Aziz Yanuar, Munarman's lawyer, pointed out that the powder was detergent and chemical materials used by FPI members to often clean the toilets of mosques.
Earlier, the police stated that Munarman, concurrently member of FPI leader Habib Rizieq Shihab's team of defense lawyers, is under arrest over attending an event of “baiat” or pledge of allegiance of ISIS in Makassar in 2015.
In addition to his position as one of Shihab's laywers, he is also a member of an advocacy team established for handling the alleged killing of six FPI members, who were reportedly shot dead early on KM50 of the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road on the morning of December 7, 2020, while they were guarding the FPI leader's motorcade.
Jakarta Metropolitan Police chief, Inspector General Fadil Imran, had stated that on-duty police investigation officers had shot the six guards for attacking them.
The National Commission on Human Rights reported that 18 gunshot wounds were found on the bodies of FPI members: Muhammad Reza (20), Muhammad Suci Khadavi (21), Faiz Ahmad Syukur (22), Lutfi Hakim (25), Ahmad Sofiyan (26), and Andi Oktiawan (33).
Rizieq Shihab is currently facing trials over breaching COVID-19 restrictions by causing large crowds in Jakarta and Megamendung in Bogor, last November 2020.
Since December 30, 2020, the FPI was banned on the basis of a joint decree inked by Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly, Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate, former National Police Chief General Idham Aziz, Attorney General S. T. Burhanuddin, and Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Boy Rafly Amar.
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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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