Seven injured in FPI attack on Tebet cafes, bars<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Seven people, including four women, were
\naccosted when some 100 members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI)
\nattacked cafes and bars in Tebet, South Jakarta, on Friday
\nevening, a police officer said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Tebet Police chief of detectives First Insp. Supangat said
\nthree men -- Satim, Taat and Kokom -- suffered cuts to their
\nheads during the attack.<\/p>\n
He also said three of the women victims, identified as Uum,
\nIin and Icih, received slight injuries when they attempted to
\nescape from the mob.<\/p>\n
FPI members shaved the head of the other woman victim,
\nidentified as Tina, the officer said.<\/p>\n
According to Supangat, his men had no information on the
\ncurrent status of the victims because the case was still under
\ninvestigation. He added that police have made no arrests in
\nconnection with the attack.<\/p>\n
By law, under no circumstances are civilians allowed to
\nconduct such attacks on places of business.<\/p>\n
Supangat said at least eight people had been questioned as
\nwitnesses in connection with the incident.<\/p>\n
He confirmed none of those questioned were from the FPI, but
\nwere guests and employees of the Moon Cafe and Bar, one of the
\nestablishments on Jl. Dr. Sahardjo which was attacked.<\/p>\n
\"The FPI members raided the cafes and bars in the area because
\nthey suspected those places were allowing activities related to
\nvice to take place inside the buildings,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The seven injured in the attack were released from the
\nhospital after receiving treatment.<\/p>\n
Supangat said the victims were accosted as they attempted to
\nflee the building.<\/p>\n
During preliminary questioning, the eight witnesses told
\npolice investigators they were unsure what was happening when the
\nFPI members first entered the premises.<\/p>\n
\"They just saw the people were wearing clothes with the
\nacronym FPI printed on them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, FPI secretary Reza Pahlevi confirmed the attack on
\nFriday was the work of the organization's members.<\/p>\n
\"We observed the area previously and later identified several
\nbars and cafes as our target since these places were used for
\nvice activities,\" Reza told The Jakarta Post over the phone on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
But he denied any of the members were involved in violence,
\nadding the police had yet to contact him about the matter.<\/p>\n
\"I'll check the information. And if we find some people were
\ninjured during the raid, we'll look into whether the attackers
\nwere really FPI members,\" Reza said.<\/p>\n
He said he suspected several local residents took part in the
\nraids.<\/p>\n
But Reza added he could understand the anger of the FPI
\nmembers, since the organization had issued at least three warning
\nletters to the owners of the nightspots prior to the raid.<\/p>\n
\"FPI members have been monitoring Cafe Kawanua on Jl. Dr.
\nSahardjo because it has been raided three times but has persisted
\nin resuming its vice activities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Reza said the organization did not believe the public
\ndisapproved of its activities, saying that only the operators of
\nestablishments involved in illegal activities opposed the FPI's
\nraids because they could harm their businesses.<\/p>\n
\"We have to differentiate the public reaction. Those who
\noppose our actions are those who have been linked with vice, such
\nas drinking, drugs and prostitution,\" he said. (lup)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/seven-injured-in-fpi-attack-on-tebet-cafes-bars-1447893297",
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