Jakarta. Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan said police have put on hold their investigation into a pornography case allegedly involving firebrand Islamic Defenders Front cleric Rizieq Shihab, since many of their officers will be busy working on the Ramadniya Operation to boost security ahead of Idul Fitri on June 24-26.

"We've got other important things to do, including the Ramadniya Operation. The Rizieq case is currently on hold," Iriawan said in Jakarta on Monday (19/06) as quoted by Kompas.com.

The police general nevertheless said investigators have worked on a new strategy to get Saudi Arabia to extradite Rizieq to Indonesia, where he will face a criminal investigation.

Previously, the Indonesian police's request to Interpol to issue its red notice — the equivalent of an international arrest warrant — for Rizieq had been knocked back.

"Just you wait. We will make an announcement soon on our next move to bring Rizieq back. It could be a police-to-police deal or a request for a blue notice [from Interpol], or there could be another way," Iriawan said.

Rizieq is accused of violating Indonesia's strict anti-pornography laws by exchanging graphic messages and nude pictures over the messaging app WhatsApp with a woman called Firza Husein.

Police also named Firza a suspect in the case early in May, and have issued a six-month overseas travel ban against her.

According to Indonesia's anti-pornography laws and its Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) law, both Firza and Rizieq can face up to five years in prison, if convicted.