FPI members questioned over anti-U.S. rally

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The police questioned three members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) on Friday as witnesses in the case of FPI commander Al Habib Muhammad Rizieq, who has been charged with denunciation in relation to an anti-U.S. rally.

"We were questioned as witnesses for Habib Rizieq (who has been charged over his) protest to the police in connection with the Oct. 9 demonstration," said FPI secretary-general Achmad Sabri Lubis, one of the three FPI members questioned.

He said that Rizieq was deemed to have insulted the police, as he had called them biadab (uncivilized).

Along with Achmad, Muhammad Tubagus Sidiq and Hassanudin were also questioned. They were accompanied by a team of lawyers, including Andi Wahyudin Jalil, Sugito, Ayub Shahab and Priyanto Suparno.

"We were questioned about the incident related to the Oct. 9 rally, not to the one on Oct. 15 in front of the House of Representatives building," he said.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam earlier said that Rizieq had been charged with insulting police officers and instigating mass hatred in relation to the Oct. 15 incident.

The charges, according to the Criminal Code, carry a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

Anton could not be reached for further comment.