Densus 88 Arrests Suspected Terrorists in Ciamis and Lampung

The National Police’s Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror (AT) arrested suspected terrorists in Ciamis, West Java, and Lampung on Monday (20/7). Densus 88 spokesperson Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the suspected terrorist arrested in Ciamis is a man with the initials AR, while the one in Lampung has the initials H. “This action is part of the law enforcement process based on an in-depth investigation into propaganda, recruitment, and incitement activities via social media platforms,” he said. During the arrests, investigators found the dissemination of material containing narratives of radicalism and terrorism, as well as the legitimisation of violence. He said Densus 88 is currently conducting intensive examinations to further investigate the roles of both individuals. “We emphasise that every police action is carried out based on valid evidence, in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations, while upholding the principle of presumption of innocence and respect for human rights,” he stated. Furthermore, Mayndra urged the public to remain active in combating the spread of extremist, radical, and terrorist ideologies through digital spaces. “The public is expected not to be easily influenced by content containing hate speech, justification of violence, or terrorist group propaganda,” he said. He also requested the public to report any suspicious activities on social media or digital platforms to law enforcement officials.