Police Probe Funding Sources in Treason Investigation
Jakarta. National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto says investigations are continuing into the funding of alleged treasonous acts that were planned to coincide with the mass prayer rally in Jakarta on Dec. 2.
"It is still ongoing, as Jakarta Police investigators, assisted by the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, have traced the flow of funds from the parties suspected of having planned to commit [treasonous] acts on Dec. 2," Rikwanto said in Jakarta on Wednesday (07/12).
He said those who are implicated in the case were planning to take advantage of last week's mass protest to further their own political objectives.
"They were planning to create chaos and use the situation to occupy the National Parliament complex. The flow [of funds] is still under investigation," Rikwanto said.
National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul meanwhile said there are five strong points of evidence against the treason suspects, who were arrested last week.
"One, a document that became a note for investigators. Second, there was an uploaded video and third, a published invitation to commit treason. Fourth is a transfer note from one person to another," Martinus said.
He added that the fifth point of evidence proves that there were plans to deploy command vehicles to coordinate protestors, who were supposed to leave the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta and move to the House or Representatives building in Senayan.
Martinus said the agreement between the rally organizers and the police did not allow for protestors to leave the Monas area.
"[The permit] was for the religious activity. The event would have been disrupted with calls on protestors to head to the House of Representatives building, which was not part of the agreement," he said.
Eight of the 11 people arrested by police on Friday morning were named suspects. They are rock star Ahmad Dhani, former Indonesian Military (TNI) generals Kivlan Zein and Adityawarman, theater director and activist Ratna Sarumpaet, former President Suharto loyalist Virza Husein, politician Eko Suryo, and activists Alvinindra Al Fariz and Rachmawati Sukarnoputri – the youngest daughter of former President Sukarno.
However, police decided not to detain them following intensive questioning.
The remaining three, Jamran, Rizal Kobar and Sri Bintang Pamungkas, have been detained under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law related to incitement on social media.
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