Police name man carrying wick-fitted bottle during protest as suspect
Polda Metro Jaya has named a 24-year-old man with the initials ANH as a suspect for carrying a bottle containing hazardous liquid fitted with a wick during a protest in front of the DPR/MPR RI building in Central Jakarta on Friday (12/6).
Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, confirmed the suspect status of ANH, who was detained on Jalan Gatot Subroto on Friday at around 3.30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time.
“Based on the results of intensive examination following the arrest, investigators have elevated ANH’s legal status to suspect. Officers found evidence in the form of three bottles containing hazardous liquid with wicks attached to the ends inside his backpack,” he said.
Budi explained that the objects were categorised as highly dangerous illegal incendiary devices with the potential to threaten lives amid a mass gathering.
In addition to naming ANH as a suspect, police are also questioning a travelling companion of the suspect with the initials R. R currently remains a witness as authorities investigate possible involvement in planning the action.
For his actions, the suspect is charged under Article 306 of the Criminal Code concerning the misuse of weapons or dangerous materials.
Budi stressed that Polda Metro Jaya respects and is ready to safeguard the constitutional rights of citizens to express their aspirations in public. However, the prohibition on carrying sharp weapons, chemicals, or Molotov cocktails will be enforced firmly without compromise.
“We guarantee the public’s freedom of expression, but if there are individuals who deliberately bring dangerous objects that could trigger anarchism, the National Police will take firm and measured law enforcement action,” he stated.
Polda Metro Jaya urged the public and field coordinators of the action not to be easily provoked by unilateral announcements on social media, and requested that the expression of aspirations continue to be conducted peacefully and orderly in accordance with Law Number 9 of 1998.
Previously, Budi Hermanto said that amid the ongoing action, the Law Enforcement Task Force of the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya successfully secured two men suspected of attempting to infiltrate the student crowd. The two individuals were arrested around the Bendungan Hilir area at 3.30 p.m. with evidence in the form of Molotov cocktails.
“We have identified several groups of people who planned to join the student action carrying Molotovs. Two people have been secured and are currently being taken to the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation for in-depth examination and interrogation,” said Budi. Police confirmed the two individuals were not part of the student group, and their status and affiliations are still being investigated.