Metro Police Name Molotov Carrier at Student Protest a Suspect
Polda Metro Jaya has officially named a 24-year-old man with the initials ANH as a suspect for possessing Molotov cocktails during a student demonstration in Central Jakarta on Friday (12/6). The announcement was made in a press statement received on Saturday (13/6).
“Investigators from the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of Polda Metro Jaya have formally designated a man with the initials ANH (24) as a suspect,” the statement read. “This firm action was taken after the man was proven to be in possession of and carrying objects designed as incendiary devices, namely bottles containing hazardous liquid equipped with a wick, during a public expression of opinion near the DPR/MPR Building in Central Jakarta on Friday.”
Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, explained that ANH was detained by security personnel on Jalan Gatot Subroto, in front of the main gate of the DPR RI Building, at around 3:30 PM Western Indonesia Time. Officers secured him after observing suspicious behaviour.
“Based on intensive post-arrest examination, investigators have elevated ANH’s legal status to that of a suspect. Officers at the scene discovered evidence in the form of three bottles containing hazardous liquid with wicks attached to their ends inside his backpack. These objects are categorised as illegal incendiary devices that are highly dangerous and have the potential to threaten lives within a mass gathering,” Budi stated in the press release.
To further clarify the case and reconstruct the events leading up to the suspect’s actions, Ditreskrimum investigators have also questioned a man with the initials R. Budi explained that R was the suspect’s companion on the way to the protest location. As of the time of writing, R’s status remains that of a witness. However, Budi added that officers are continuing to investigate R’s role further to determine whether there is any alleged involvement related to the Molotov cocktails at the student demonstration.
For his actions, investigators have charged the suspect under the article concerning the misuse of weapons or hazardous materials, specifically Article 306 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
“The legal process against the suspect is guaranteed to proceed professionally and accountably in accordance with applicable criminal procedure law. Currently, the investigative team is conducting intensive inquiries to uncover the suspect’s hidden motives, trace the origin of the bottles with incendiary wicks, and detect the possibility of a network or instructions from other parties,” Budi clarified.
On the other hand, he emphasised that the police, particularly Polda Metro Jaya, respect and are ready to safeguard the constitutional right of every citizen to express their aspirations in public. However, the legal prohibition against carrying sharp weapons, chemical substances, or bottles containing hazardous liquids modified as incendiary devices during demonstrations will be enforced absolutely and without compromise.
“We guarantee the public’s freedom of speech, but if there are individuals or infiltrators who deliberately bring dangerous objects that can trigger anarchy and disrupt national security, the Indonesian National Police institution will take repressive action in the form of firm and measured law enforcement,” he said.
As part of maintaining public order and security, Budi stated that in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 9 of 1998, the public is urged to express their aspirations peacefully, orderly, and responsibly.
Previously, during security operations yesterday, Polda Metro Jaya officers arrested two men who were found carrying Molotov cocktails and attempting to infiltrate the student demonstration. Budi had stated yesterday that the two men would undergo intensive examination by Ditreskrimum Polda Metro Jaya. “We will further investigate their affiliations,” he told the media on Friday. Budi explained that since morning, his party had been conducting monitoring and profiling of parties suspected of attempting to infiltrate the student protest. He conveyed that this measure was taken to ensure the public expression of opinion could proceed safely and orderly.