FPI chief ignores police summons

FPI chief ignores police summons

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chairman Al Habib Muhammad Rizieq
failed to respond on Wednesday to a summons issued by Jakarta
Police in connection with Monday's anti-U.S. rally outside the
legislative building, which ended in violence.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said
that since Rizieq failed to appear, police would issue a second
summons.

"We will issue a second summons. If he fails to show up again,
we will issue a third summons ... then, should he remain defiant,
we will have to forcibly take him into custody," Anton told The
Jakarta Post.

Rizieq is now officially a suspect for allegedly violating
Article 156 and 154 of the Criminal Code regarding provocation
and denunciation, and also Law No.9/1998 on demonstrations, he
added.

Police had earlier named 12 protesters as suspects for
ignoring police orders to disperse during the demonstration,
which took place on a national holiday.

Meanwhile, Rizieq claimed that he had never received a verbal
or written summons from the police and he, therefore, refused to
appear at Jakarta Police Headquarters on Wednesday.

"The police have never summoned me in writing, nor verbally. I
don't think I'm violating anything and I refuse to appear before
the police without a proper announcement," he told the Post.

He also denied reports that his organization had filed a law
suit against police and demanded Rp 300 million in material
losses. He said his organization was only interested in upholding
the law and not in material causes.

However, the FPI does intend to file a lawsuit against
National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro for the violence
inflicted upon demonstrators during Monday's protest.

"We will demand Bimantoro's resignation ... we recorded 50 of
our members who were severely injured at that time. This cannot
be tolerated," he remarked.

After the police took stern action against the protesters on
Monday, the city remained calm with no large-scale
demonstrations.

FPI vowed to continue their protests throughout the city until
the Indonesian government severs diplomatic ties with the U.S..
"Until that happens, we will continue to fight for our cause,"
Rizieq said.

On Wednesday, city police detective chief Sr. Comr. Adang
Rochjana provided compensation for three photo journalists whose
cameras and car were damaged by the police when they were
covering Monday's clash.

Lamhot Aritonang, a photographer for Pantura received Rp 15.6
million for damage to his Nikon F 2 camera, while Dadang Tri from
Reuters received Rp 64 million for damage to his Nikon F 5.

Police also gave Rp 12 million to Supriyatin, also from
Reuters, whose car was vandalized by the police.

Lamhot and Dadang were among four journalists beaten by police
when they were covering Monday's demonstration. The other two
were Medo Malianza from Metro TV and Agung Nugroho from Indosiar.